Elwood Vernon Cartwright, Jr., 90, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025, with his family by his side. He was a native of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and had been a Peninsula resident since 1947. Vernon served in the U.S. Army for three years and retired from the Central Fidelity Bank as an Executive Vice President. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Vernon was preceded in death by his first wife of 69 years, Shirley Cartwright, and his second wife, Opal K. Cartwright; sons Tri Cartwright III and Chris Cartwright; and grandchildren Angie Cartwright, Cregg Cartwright, Kennith Cartwright, and Jason Cartwright. He is survived by his son, Walter Cartwright and his wife, Rachael; grandchildren, Amanda Berman, Tri Cartwright, Chance Cartwright, Jessica Cartwright-Lindner, Jared Cartwright, Alex Cartwright, Chad Cartwright, John Fowler, and Jenny Caldwell; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Vernon never knew a stranger and had so many lifelong local friends that it would be impossible to list them all.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 6, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 902 Denbigh Blvd., Newport News, Virginia, with the funeral service beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.
12 Comments
Sending condolences and prayers to the Cartwright family during this difficult time. Rest in God’s promises of comfort, healing, love and peace.
It sadden us to hear about Mr. Cartwright departure from this life. He will be missed by all who knew him. We will all miss his sense of humor and his positive outlook on life. Mr. Cartwright loved his family and his friends. He had a special love for his church family who always showered him with love and support. Wilford and I want so much to attend his Homegoing Service but we have a prior commitment. However, we are praying that the Lord will give his family and friends strength to face the days ahead during this difficult time in their lives.
Sorry for your loss as well as our loss and many others who loved him. My dad Bill Reece and Vernon were best friends and more like Brothers. Vernon was an honorary member of the Reece family and was always Uncle Vernon to me and my brother and sisters and will always be. My wife Vicki and I loved him and Sherley were always 2 of our favorite people. I was so grateful to have him come out to Idaho last Spring to visit us and have that special time to spend with him. He suffered more loss and heartbreak in his life than most anyone I know with Shirley but they always stayed true to his Love of each other and God and Jesus Christ. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the rest of us who loved him. Bill and Vicki Reece
Offering my condolences, thoughts, and prayers for a special family and his many friends. I met Vernon in 1969 and he was always a living example for me, his family, and his many friends. His love of and dedication to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and his Savior were unshakable. We miss you, Vernon, but we know that death was overcome by our Savior, Jesus Christ, and it is a door through which we must pass. Physical death is a very important part of The Plan of Salvation (also known as the Plan of Happiness). Vernon, go with God until we meet again.
Vernon was a man of principles. He went through some rough events in his lifetime but never gave up his faith. He was a very honest disciplined man. Always smiling and had a joke to tell. He will be missed. ❤️ Carl and Deb Martin
So sorry to hear about Vernon. He was a true friend of our family. I knew him at church and he was my boss at the bank. I never saw him upset or do anything but represent his family in good ways. He will truly be missed.
Rest in peace my friend.
The following words are from a song that Vernon and I used to listen to. It expresses how much I’m going to miss Vernon.
“I can only say the pleasure has been mine. For at least I got to know you for a Time. But now you’re gone I don’t know what I’ll do. Each time we’d meet we would sit and talk. Then things they seem so much better with your smile. When I think of all the things that you’ve been through there’s a Blue Moon over My world without you. The Stars will shine much brighter in the heavens now you’re there. Each time I think about you I’ll say a silent prayer. I’ve lost a special friend so warm and true. Goodbye Vernon my friend & love, so warm and true. There’s a Blue Moon over My world without you.”
Mr. Vernon, you are now with the Lord that you love so much you were with Shirley and Opal and I know those two ladies are just jumping for joy you were at the the feetof our Jesus Christ Lord Savior, even though I’ve only known you for a short while couple years or more, you really filled my heart your stories that you told paying attention to my great grandson Liam he has never forgot you and always talked about you. He liked when we come to your house and we saw your airplanes and you showed him the computer and you really paid attention to him as he was a grown adult Mr. Vernon I wanna tell you I love you. You are an awesome man. . I want to send my condolence to the family. I am so sorry that I could not attend as I am fighting bronchitis but I want to tell you that he is a great man. May he fly high above us and watch over each and everyone God bless you all
thank you for being my friend. God bless you and your family.
Deepest condolences and many prayers for the family. Anytime Mr. Cartwright came into the office he was a ray of sunshine and very nice. His Farm State family will miss him.
I am so saddened by losing one of my favorite friend I am going to miss his hearty laugh and that delightful smile to the family I wish you peace of Jesus with all my love hugs and kisses
I am saddened to hear about Mr. Cartwright. He has been my neighbor for the past two years. I so enjoyed our conversations over the fence. I will miss his bubbly outlook and wonderful conversation.
Vernon and Shirley were such fine people. My husband Jerry and I met them at karaoke at Hardee’s. They became weekly visitors and eventually Jerry got Vernon up there singing. He did quite well! A very fine man who will be greatly missed.