Herbert "Al" Cartwright's Obituary
Herbert “Al” Cartwright was born October 4th, 1931 in Elizabeth City, N.C. to Mylick and Margaret Cartwright. Al’s father passed away in 1937, and in 1940, Margaret was married to Robert D. Gibbs who became Al’s step-father. Shortly after their marriage, the new family moved to Robert’s home in Tacoma, Washington. As a young adult Al attended Stadium Highschool, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. After his high school graduation in 1950, he attended Pacific Lutheran College with a football scholarship. In 1951, Al entered the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War. He continued to play football for the Air Force throughout his time in the military.
When he returned from military service in 1955, Al married Audrey James and returned to Pacific Lutheran College. The couple welcomed their first son, Alan, in 1957, and their daughter, Camy, in 1958. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in that same year. For the next 11 years, Al taught and coached at Jason Bee & Truman Junior High and continued his education, earning his Master’s degree from Oregon State in 1961.
Al spent the next 24 years as teacher, coach, and athletic director for Lincoln Highschool. His son, Alan, passed away in 1975. Al married Martha Christensen in 1982, and gained step-sons Tim, 7, and Matt, 4.
After his retirement in ‘93, Al enjoyed golf, travel, Huskey football games, and nights out to dinner socializing with many good friends. The family welcomed their first granddaughter, Ashley in 1993, and grandson, Thomas, in 2004. Al’s wife, Martha, passed away in 2007, and daughter Camy in 2013. His third grandchild, Keira, was born in 2018.
Around the time of Martha’s passing, he joined First Baptist Church of Puyallup, where he served as trustee, deacon, and usher. He also volunteered his time teaching struggling children to read English at Karshner Elementary School, and feeding the homeless at Mission in Tacoma.
Al passed away at the age of 89 on the morning of February 9th, 2021 in Puyallup Washington. He was much loved by his family and friends, and will be dearly missed.
Please join us for a live webcast of Al's service Thursday, 2/18 at 11:30 am using the link below.
https://viewneral.zoom.us/j/91386326805?pwd=a0hjWDduNHdFdG4vcFQ3UWtqamJLQT09
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