SALEM, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Wayne Lee Cartwright, 74, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Heritage Manor in Youngstown.
He was born November 27, 1947, the son of the late Samuel and Gladys Cartwright in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was raised by his mother with his two deceased brothers, Robert and Donald Ankney.
He moved to North Lima in 1964 and graduated from North Lima High School in 1966.
After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force. He received basic training in Texas, then an aeronautical weapons school in Colorado; he then completed additional aircraft training in Florida. Wayne was on a 13 month tour of Phu Cat, Vietnam. He patrolled aboard a Spooky 3-gun PC-47 cargo plane over Saigon with over 800 hours of combat, winning 8 air medals and two distinguished flying crosses.
After an honorable discharge in 1970, he started at R&R Mack Inc. as a diesel mechanic. He worked there for 18 years and loved his R&R family! Then he started in the US Post when he retired in 2016.
Wayne met his beloved wife, Carol, in August 1968 and they were married on July 31, 1971. Wayne and Carol settled in Columbiana and raised four children.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Carol; his daughters, Christine (David) Bellish of Union and Carrie (Tom) Toth of New Waterford; son, Greg Cartwright of Columbiana and Brooks Cartwright of Cleveland. He also had three beloved grandchildren, Owen Bellish of Alliance, Lauren Bellish of Union and Emma Cartwright of Leetonia. Wayne also leaves behind his lifelong best friend, David Daley of Salem. He also loved his Shih Tzu, Charlie.
Wayne has always had a passion for car work and hot rodding. And he loved his Star Trek!
Friends and family will be received on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Stark Memorial.
A funeral service will follow at 11:30 am with Pastor Doug DeMar officiating at the funeral home. Interment will be in Hope Cemetery and lunch will follow.
The family would like to thank all the nurses and orderlies at Manoir Héritage for their excellent care over the years.
If you are unable to attend, you can show your support by joining our free “Hugs from Home” program where your message will be attached to a balloon in the chapel to remind the family of your love and support for. www.starkmemorial.com/hugs-from-home.
To view Wayne’s obituary, send condolences, or order flowers, visit www.starkmemorial.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wayne Lee Cartwright, please visit our flower shop.
A TV Tribute will air on Monday, January 10 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV.
