Jerome Jerry Cartwright

JERRY CARTWRIGHT Jerome “Jerry” Cartwright, 79, longtime civic leader and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, died on Sunday, March 14, 2004, after a brief illness. A 1:30 p.m. memorial service will be Thursday, March 18, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr., Bishop Suffragan of Texas, The Rev. Roland Timberlake, and The Rev. Dr. Michael Attas officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Jerry was born July 24, 1924 in Waco. He was the son of the late C. Jerome and Anne Risher Cartwright also of Waco. After attending public schools, Jerry attended the Virginia Military Institute and the United States Military Academy at West Point. In World War II, he fought in France with the 94th Infantry Division. Jerry held degrees in both business and law from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Jerry, a member of the Waco Bar Association and the American Bar Association, was a trust officer at the Citizens’ National Bank of Waco for 14 years before becoming Executive Director of the Cooper Foundation and the Waco Foundation. He retired from the Cooper Foundation after 25 years. In 1988, the National Society of Fundraising Executives honored him as the ‘Philanthropist of the Year.’ He was past president of the Waco Boys Club, the Waco Lions Club, and the Conference of Southwest Foundations. He was past director of the Chamber of Commerce, Behrens Drug Company, Rotary Club of Waco, the YMCA, Baylor Stadium Corporation, Citizens’ National Bank of Waco, the National Council of Community Foundations, and Goodwill Industries. He served as a community advisor for the Junior League of Waco, co-chairman of Community Health Action Partners, chairman of the Action Planning Council, and campaign chairman and director of United Way of Waco. He was also a board member of City Parks and Recreation, Evangelia, and the Hillcrest Hospital Board of Visitors. Jerry reigned as King of the 1974 Cotton Palace Pageant following his mother who was the first Queen in 1914 and his grandfather who was King in 1917. During his lifetime, Jerry was an active member of both St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He was a dedicated lay reader and had served on both their Vestries as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and treasurer over the years. While in law school, Jerry met and later married Jean “Patsy” McFarland of Dallas on September 9, 1950 at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. He was the proud father of Jean Risher Cartwright who married J. David Dickson of Waco. He was the proud grandfather of two grandchildren, Austin Cartwright Dickson and Annalisa Jean Dickson. His sister, the late Anne Cartwright Pitt of Waco, preceded Jerry in death. Family also includes his niece, Katharine Risher Pitt of Waco and Charlottesville, Virginia; his in-laws, the family of Russell and Virginia McFarland of Houston; and cousins, the families of Edward Randall, Risher Randall, the late Laura Randall Schweppe, all of Houston, the family of Vicki Carver Newton of Haddam, Connecticut, and numerous other Cartwright relatives. Jerry loved fishing and hunting; he was an avid reader and was eager to share books with his friends. Jerry also enjoyed snow skiing, tennis, and travel. His retirement included many family travel experiences throughout the world. He especially looked forward to spending time with family and friends at his favorite place, Lake George, Colorado. Jerry’s greatest joy was helping others enjoy life, and he will be remembered as a humble, caring leader and a loveable friend. He will truly be missed. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Bostwick, Spencer Brown, Fred Crow, Bud Gervig, Dr. W.D. “Tootie” Hunter, Edgar Jablonowski, Roane Lacy, Dean Maberry, John Mayfield, Paul Murphy, Pat Pattillo, Doug Pitts, Bob Sadler, Dr. Jim Scruggs, Goodhue Smith, Tom Stribling, Harry Trippet, and Joe Ward. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 515 Columbus Av, 76701, the Waco Foundation, 900 Austin Av, 76701, or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY