O.V. Cartwright's Obituary
CARTWRIGHT, OV DR. On Saturday, 9 December, Dr. OV Cartwright died peacefully with his wife of 67 years Cecile holding his hand. Dr. Cartwright was born on April 12, 1920 in Dallas, Texas where he spent the early years of his life, and graduated from Sunset High School. He began his college education at Texas A&M in 1938. In 1939 he married Cecile Watson and entered the Marine Corps, where he served as a navigator bombardier on B-25’s throughout the Pacific Theater during World War II. Dr. Cartwright earlier served in the Army National Guard 112th Calvary Regiment and would later serve as a Lieutenant in the Navy Reserves. In 1946 he resumed his education at the Baylor College of Dentistry. Upon graduating in 1950 Dr. Cartwright started his dental practice in Grand Prairie. Dr. Cartwright served as President of the Texas Dental Association and as President of the Dallas County Dental Society. His distinguished career of service to the Profession of Dentistry included serving as chair of the Dallas Mid-Winter Dental Clinic; vice-president, chair to the legal council, and delegate to the Texas Dental Association; and delegate to the American Dental Association for over 21 years. Dr. Cartwright’s professional highlights also include being president of the Oak Cliff and Grand Prairie Dental Study Clubs, a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and a fellow in both the American and International Colleges of Dentistry. Dr. Cartwright’s community activates include serving 4 years on the Grand Prairie City Council, co-founder of the Grand Prairie Crime Commission, and president of the Grand Prairie Rotary Club, where he is a Paul Harris Fellow and has 28 years of perfect attendance. He is a Century Club member of the YMCA, was an Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver Award. Dr. Cartwright received numerous leadership honors. In 1981 he received the Texas Dentist of the Year Award. The City of Grand Prairie named him Citizen of the year in 1982. He received the Presidential Citation from the America Dental Association in 1985, and in 1999 received the Texas Dental Association Presidential Medal for Distinguished Service. In 2000 He was named the Baylor College of Dentistry Distinguished Alumni and received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Dallas County Dental Society. Dr. Cartwright traveled throughout Europe, Asia and Africa with his wife. He owned horses and loved horse racing. After 50 years, Dr. Cartwright retired from dentistry, but continued to work at Lone Star Park, volunteer for the Cedar Hill Planning and Zoning Commission, and volunteer for the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Dr.Cartwright is survived by his wife, Cecile, two sons Don Cartwright and Dr. Chris Cartwright; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday December 13, 2006 at Restland Memorial Chapel. Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. at DFW National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek PKWY Dallas, TX 75211.In Lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts to Dallas County Dental Society. Honorary Pallbearers: will be members from the Dallas County Dental Society.
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