Harold B. Cartwright
1940 ~ 2021
Resident of Santa Cruz
Harold Briggs Cartwright was born on September 6, 1940, to William Philmon and Cleo Estelle Cartwright on his family's farm in Tigertown, Texas. Harold and his family moved from Texas to Ojai, California during his adolescence, where he graduated from Nordoff High School in Ojai, California.
With a life-long dedication to law and order, Harold, starting as a police officer right out of high school. He spent 9 years as a peace officer in the Ventura City Police Department, then moved his young family to Santa Cruz in 1969, where he became a private investigator. It was during this time that he was part of the public defender's office involved with high profile, local cases during a tremulous time in the city's history.
Harold worked 7 days a week, coached his sons' baseball and basketball teams all while attending Lincoln Law School at night. Harold loved his chosen profession as a plaintiff attorney in Santa Cruz for some 40 years. He never really retired. Harold would be the first person to tell you he was never the smartest person in the room. His reputation was based on his compassion and generosity with his clients. A close family friend said, "he possessed a rare moral compass within his profession."
Harold enjoyed caring for and riding horses, golfing and working in the yard. He learned how to garden as a teenager from his father and uncle. An amazing storyteller, his life experiences provided him with much fodder at any gathering.
Harold was dedicated to family, which expanded with his marriage to Diana and the adoption of her son Mitch. He spent endless hours researching and purchasing as much of the Tigertown family farm as he could. This Memorial Day his family will spread his ashes on the ground where he was born.
He is survived by his wife, Diana, his sons Aaron, James and his wife Diana, Mitchell and his wife Rachael, and his four grandchildren, Madison, Kennedy, Wyatt and Chloe, and his brother John Thomas (Corky) and his wife Koweta Cartwright form Burneyville, Oklahoma, and his cats Waylan and Willie.
There will be an announcement of service in Santa Cruz this coming fall once we can all meet together safely and remember his smile, his laugh and those stories he loved to tell.

View the online memorial for Harold B. Cartwright

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Apr. 11, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Cartwright

Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.

8 Entries

Richard Alan Palfin, Ph.D.

June 16, 2024

Harold was one of the few attorneys that gave that profession a good name. Always challenging to provide economic expert testimony for his widely diverse cases over a 30-year period.

Sandra Garcia Wooff

February 19, 2022

Harold was one of the nicest guys in our class always polite and helpful. I had several classes with him and he was quite but could come up with some wise answers at times to make the class laugh. Enjoyed knowing him and so happy to hear he was successful in life as he was a great person. I shall miss seeing him at our class reunions.
God bless his family may they heal over his loss.

Rev. Randy Brooks

February 18, 2022

Harold Cartwright was my Godfather. My "Uncle" Harald was one of the most loving men I have ever had the pleasure of growing up around or knowing. He was my fathers "best man" and always a loving father figure. We spent many long weekends together in either Ventura when the Cartwright´s would visit or in Santa Cruz when the Brooks´ would visit. We camped together, water skied, played baseball and everything in between. Living in His home town of Ojai, CA, he never missed an opportunity to stop by while in town for a "Nordhoff" class reunion. I recall traveling through Santa Cruz with my young family some 30 plus years ago and trying to connect with him at his office. The staff informed me that his schedule wouldn´t allow for him to see us. After asking the staff to inform him that we had stoped by, we left his office. We were then chased down prior to leaving by Uncle Harald in the parking lot. He didn´t have a lot of time but was able to visit for a short while. The time spent together and memories will be Cherished forever.

Jack Lowe

April 26, 2021

I have lived abroad for many years and have seen Harold only once at a Nordhoff Reunion since our graduation. But after all these years he stands out as one of the nicest, best-natured, and positive persons I have known. This is a rare thing after all these years.
This is a rare thing after all those years. These good and rare gifts stay forever in our memory. May he rest in peace.

Sandra Wooff

April 25, 2021

So sorry for your loss Harold was a great guy. I had many classes at Nordhoff with Harold and he was always polite and kind to everyone. He didn't say much but smiled a lot and one of the good guys in class. I will miss him at class reunions for sure.
Sandy Garcia Wooff

Yvonne Shields Odle

April 24, 2021

One of the kindest humans I've ever known. Loved seeing him at our last class reunion. Always with a big smile. He will be missed by all who new him.

Melissa Philpot

April 12, 2021

Harold was such a kind man. I sure appreciated his help so many years ago. I'm sorry for the family's loss and will be keeping them in my prayers.

curt yaeger

April 11, 2021

Harold was a lovely man and I considered a friend. Both Aaron and Jamie worked for me in their youth and my condolences to them. Curt Yaeger

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results