Jack Cleveland Cartwright

Jack Cleveland Cartwright passed away peacefully at Midland Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was 93.

Jack Cleveland Cartwright was born on June 24, 1930 to Grover Cleveland Cartwright and Laura Thelma Cartwright. He was born exactly nine months after the great stock market crash of 1929 and always considered himself a child of the “Great Depression”. Jack Contracted polio when he was 4 years old and it led to atrophy in his right leg and foot. This would be a factor throughout his life.

Jack was the oldest of three children. He had a younger brother, Richard Cartwright & a sister Ann Hodge. The Cartwright family lived on farm land that had been in the family since 1856. He started his education in a two room country school. Education was always important to Jack and he graduated from Gainesville High School in 1947, earned a BS Degree at the University of Texas in 1951.He was hired to work at Standard Oil & Gas in Monahans, TX during the severe drought of the 1950s. His parents were sure he was going to the “end of the earth”. He returned to UT in 1953 and earned his Master’s Degree. He also met and fell in love with “a cute girl” who worked in Geology Library.

He married that “cute girl”, Barbara Wells in Wellington, TX on June 4, 1955. Jack & Barbara started their married life in Midland, TX where they had daughters Cynthia and Karen were born. They moved to Fort Worth where daughter Claire was born and then to Lubbock where their son, Wade was born. The family returned to Midland in 1966.

Jack was employed as a geologist throughout his life. He worked for Texas Pacific and later for MGF. In 1971 he formed a partnership with Ross Roberts and Charlie Koch. In 1979 he, with the help of his daughter Claire started working independently as an independent geologist and investor. He greatly enjoyed his associations with many fine friends with whom he “turned deals” in the oil & gas business and several other endeavors.

Jack truly believed in service to his church and community. He was very active at First United Methodist Church, serving on numerous committees, boards and classes. His community service included Midland Junior Baseball Association, Leadership Midland, Midland Planning and Zoning board, Board of Adjustment and the Community Service Award Committee. His professional activities included the West Texas Geological Society, AAPG and SIPES organizations. He was a founding member and officer of the Midland Energy Library as well as a member of AAPG’s House of Delegates.

In later years, Jack was an active board member of The Samaritan Counseling Center of West Texas and continued as an Advisory Board Member. He also actively participated in the ministries of Al-Anon, Walk to Emmaus, Midland Soup Kitchen and Meals on Wheels.

In 2005, Jack & Barbara moved to Manor Park Village where they resided until July of 2022. Their final home was Cimarron Place in Midland.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents G.C. & Thelma Cartwright, his precious wife, Barbara, his son, Wade and his siblings Richard Cartwright and Ann Hodge. He is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Moats (Tom), Karen Hodge (Don) and Claire Brock (Danny). Also surviving Jack are his grandchildren, Michael Hayes (Angie), Wayne Hayes (Jami), Hunter Gamero, Stephanie Carrasco (Jeff), Jeff Brock, Jackie O’Connor, Timmy Brock (Lindsay), Ashley Johnson, (Michael) and Sarah Reynolds (Jesse). He also leaves behind 17 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

The family especially wants to thank our “family” at Cimarron Place who loved and took excellent care of Jack in his final months. We are forever grateful for your kindness and love.

Dad was a family man above all else and we will miss him terribly. He was our “Hero” and he showed us all how to live life with Love, Integrity and Service. We rejoice that he and his sweet Barbara are together again!

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church of Midland, Manor Park of Midland, Midland Memorial Hospital or a charity of your choice.

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley, Pickle & Welch. Visitation will be at Nalley, Pickle & Welch from 5 to 7pm on Wednesday October 4th. The funeral will be officiated by Melissa Shuler of First Methodist Church at 10:00 am on Thursday October 5th at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel.

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