Edwin Orville Cartwright Jr.'s Obituary
Cartwright, Edwin Orville Jr., USAF Maj. (Ret.) passed away in Dallas on Thursday, September 30,2010 at the age of 87. Born March 30, 1923 in Dallas, Texas to Edwin O. and Lucille C. Cartwright. After earning his private pilot license at age 16, he graduated from Highland Park High School in 1941. In June 1942 completed a 12 month course in Aeronautical Engineering at Curtiss-Wright Technical Institute in Glendale, CA. learning aircraft design. Enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in November 1943. Assigned to Liberal Army Air Field in Liberal, Kansas as a B-24 Bomber Instructor Pilot and while there married Julia Alice Britton in August 1944. Then flew PBY-SA seaplanes in the Air-Sea Rescue Unit off the coast of Brazil until the war ended. After World War II, he attended Texas A&M, graduating #1 in his class with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering and was admitted into Tau Beta Phi Engineering Honor Society. He moved back to Dallas and was employed by Chance Vought Aircraft (later Ling-Temco-Vought). Recalled to active duty during the Korean War where he served as a Combat Cargo C-46 Aircraft pilot. Returning to work at Chance Vought in Dallas, he remained in the Air Force 69th Squadron Reserve Fighter Unit at Hensley Field flying F-80, T-33, F-86 jet aircraft and later the Fairchild C-119 Transport. He retired with the rank of Major after achieving the rating of Command Pilot and becoming a member of the Mach Busters Club. During his thirty years at LTV Corp. he was responsible for cockpit and escape system design on fighter aircraft as well as manned and unmanned spacecraft design. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, he designed, built by himself, and ultimately flew his own experimental single seat aircraft. Orville was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin O. Cartwright and Lucille C. Cartwright; his wife of 42 years, Julia Alice Britton Cartwright; and his brother, William Eugene Cartwright. He is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law: Ed and Lois, Steve and Maribeth, John and Stephanie. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Colby, Britton, Julia, Gracie, Annie and Carie Cartwright; numerous nieces and nephews; and his close friend of many years, Pel Norris. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Walnut Place for their skill, care, and compassion.
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