Gary Joseph Cartwright

Gary Joseph Cartwright, 75, went home to be with his Lord on February 5, 2022. Gary was born in Springfield, IL to Joseph Henry and Viola Schuster Cartwright on July 1, 1946. He married Bonnie Doole on June 15, 1974, at Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL.

Gary first developed his relationship with God at Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL. He joined the church’s Boy Scout troop and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He later transferred his membership to Hope Presbyterian Church. As an active member at Hope, his leadership activities included being an elder, a deacon, a member of the choir, and chaired Hope Presbyterian Church’s 50th anniversary celebration. As member of For One Ministry, he worked to spread the word of God through drama with Christmas and Easter plays.

Gary graduated from Lanphier High School, Springfield, IL in 1964 and from The University of Missouri at Rolla (currently Missouri University of Science and Technology) with a degree in geology and geophysics in 1968. Immediately after high school, he began working on survey field crew for CMT in the summer. Upon his graduation he immediately left to work in a copper mine in Tucson, AZ. Missing his family and central Illinois, he returned to Illinois and taught math and advanced sciences in the Niantic-Harristown School District. Gary then completed a master’s degree in school administration from Sangamon State University in 1973. He met his wife while working in the summer of 1973 at Mother Goose Daycare Center. He became a registered land surveyor and a civil engineer licensed in Illinois and Indiana. Through his diverse career, Gary worked at several firms including Raynolds & Walschlger, Hsiong & Associates, Ozyurt & Stone, and Fehr-Graham designing and surveying roads, subdivisions, airports, and buildings on college campuses.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Kendra Watkins, DVM (Joshua) of Fairview, TN; three grandchildren, Cecilia Doole Watkins, Michael Doole Watkins, and Joseph Doole Watkins; brother, Alan Cartwright; nephew, Josh Cartwright; nieces, Laura Cartwright and Allison Cartwright; and cousins, Cindy Gibson, Dale Taylor, Sandy Pride, David Lewis, Dennis Lewis, Mary Lu Hunter, and Craig Lewis. Gary always considered all Bonnie’s relatives to be part of his family.

Gary treasured, his family, and friends. He loved entertaining his family and friends, with Bonnie, at their home. As his family grew, he could be found supporting their activities, being in the Bi-centennial Pageant at Pleasant Plains in 1976, registering as a girl scouts leader, coaching softball, volunteering with school organizations, including PTO and Springfield High School band boosters, tutoring math, planning Christmas decorations, and telling stories about Kendra, Josh and his grandchildren. He was a proud husband, dad, and grandpa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hope Presbyterian Church, 2211 Wabash Ave, Springfield, IL 62704 or For One Ministry, 102 Fox Creek Lane, Chatham IL 62629.

In the spring, a Celebration of Life will announced.

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