HENRY CARTWRIGHT

1939 - 2021

HENRY "HANK" CARTWRIGHT Henry "Hank" Edwin Cartwright, 82, passed away May 15, 2021 after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Hank was born in Higden, Arkansas, January 9, 1939 to Austin and Blanche Cartwright. At age 9 his family moved to Wichita, Kansas where he would meet the love of his life, Dixie. Hank and Dixie were married at the age of 17 in 1956. At that time Hank started his first business venture purchasing gum ball machines for the local grocery stores in Omaha, Nebraska. In a few short years he had largest vending operation in the entire region. As Hank's entrepreneurial passion began to grow so did their beautiful family. Within five years, Hank and Dixie had four wonderful children, Stan, Dana, Terry and Stacey. Hank and his family opened one of the very first Pizza Hut franchises in Lincoln, Nebraska in the early 60's. At the same time, Hank started his own fast-food franchises in Taco Boy and Olde English Fish n' Chips. Hank then purchased the franchise rights for Pizza Hut west of the Mississippi including Nevada, Arizona, and Southern California, officially moving to Las Vegas in 1965. After selling his Pizza Hut franchises in 69', Hank and his family went into the ice cream business opening 41 stores nationally with Mom's Ice Cream, ultimately selling his interest in 1977. His largest endeavor came in 1985, when Hank capitalized on the video cassette craze and opened his first Major Video Superstore in Las Vegas. At one point they were opening a new Major Video superstore every 36 hours and had 186 stores in 28 states and Canada. Hank and his family later sold the franchise to Blockbuster Video in the early 90's. His entrepreneurial spirit did not end there, his passion for everything 50's turned in Back to 50's and later "Americabilla". His last venture came in 2008 when Hank and his family opened U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt, a self-serve frozen yogurt chain that was later sold to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sisters, many friends and relatives. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dixie; sons, Terry and Stan; daughters Dana and Stacey; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many friends, family and business partners. A Celebration of Life will be from 4 p.m.- 7 p.m., Saturday, June 12th, at the Cartwright Residence for his friends and family.