John Nelson Cartwright, 94, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 10, 2014 in Indianapolis, IN. Services for John will be held Saturday, July 26 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3243 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Visitation is at 12 pm, followed by a memorial at 2:00 pm. He was born in Elkton, KY on November 6, 1919 to Charles and Edna Cartwright. John graduated from Todd County High School in Elkton in 1938. He served his country during World War II from 1939 to 1945. He was assigned to the US Army Air Corps 27th Fighter Squadron as an airplane mechanic and worked on the most advanced fighter plane of its time – the P-38 Lightning. John served at multiple bases throughout Europe.
While in the Army working on airplanes, John developed a lifelong love of engines and how they worked. After his service, he enrolled at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta, GA and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduating in 1949, John began work for Detroit Diesel Allison in Indianapolis. He was an outstanding engineer and oversaw work on many Allison engines for military aircraft. He was a key liaison between Allison, the US Naval Air Systems Command, and with aircraft manufacturers Grummond, Conair, Lockheed, McDonnell-Douglas, and Rockwell. John was also instrumental in the development of Allison helicopter engines, working closely with Boeing, Kaman Aerospace, Sikorsky, Bell, and Hughes.
John’s inventive mind led to his designing parts for aircraft engines, and obtaining multiple patents for his some of his designs. In what may have been the pinnacle of his career, he served on a panel of mechanical and aviation experts evaluating the safety and durability of key engine components on the first Space Shuttle. John retired from Allison in 1984.
John loved classic cars, owning and restoring several. He and his wife were founding members of the Milestone Car Club and traveled the country participating in classic car shows. He loved to travel, take fishing trips with his buddies, and enjoyed nature. He had a passion for photography and took thousands of pictures in his lifetime. He also loved creating and fixing things in his workshop. More than anything, John loved spending time with his family and friends.
John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Juanita, his parents, his brother Charles Jr, sister Bessie White, and son-in-law Robert Binninger. He is survived by daughters Dianne Binninger and Patricia (Mark) Brumback, and grandson John Casselman.
Services for John will be held Saturday, July 26 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3243 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Visitation is at 12 pm, followed by a memorial at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bloom at Eagle Creek, 5045 W. 52nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46254, where John lived and was lovingly cared for the last two years of his life.
Peggy "PJ" Holzworth says
Dianne & Patty, you may have heard your folks mention me…”PJ”. I worked with your dad at Detroit Diesel Allison from 1974 to 1979…at age 18, right out of business college. We hit it off right from the start and kept in touch for many many years, even visiting in each other’s homes. He and Juanita came to our wedding…Whitey and I, 39 years ago. My dad and John were nearly the same age…John turned 94 last Nov 6 and my dad Jan 18. My parents, Maurice & Nina Canatsey are both still living. They live at Meadow Lakes Assisted Living in Mooresville. Both have dementia, but do still know me. For that I am grateful. I loved your dad. I loved him and your mom. I did not know she had died and just today saw John’s obituary. We were good friends, despite the age difference…buddies. In years past, I would call him up just to chat. I would send pictures of our children when they were little. We would talk about the government…..or “giverment”
as he would say. John was a special man and I learned lots from him. He and Juanita made such a good team. Every April Fools Day, I remember my one best April Fools joke. It was on your dad. I was secretary to Dave Weber and John, but it was John whom I especially hit it off with. I gave John a pink “While You Were Out” phone message slip that said Mr. Fox had called for him, and gave a phone number ( which was actually to the Indpls Zoo!). Well, John called the number from his office (my office was right by his with windows we could see in each other’s offices). He asked for Mr.Fox. Of course, the person who answered said, there is no Mr. Fox here…this is the zoo. By then I was about to wet my pants, I was laughing so hard! Fortunately he laughed too and didn’t get mad at me. One other time, though, he did get miffed…. The time I took his afternoon cigar and threw it away. Those cigars were stinky, and he smoked one every afternoon. I could go on, but I’d get tired of typing and you would get tired of reading. He was proud of you girls and his grandson John. And he surely loved is bride Juanita. I will miss both of them. I am better for having known them. I plan to come Saturday to the Memorial. Love, Peggy “PJ” Holzworth 765-315-9085
George & Kathy Weaver says
So sorry and our prayers are with you Dianne!
Roxanne Loomis says
Dianne and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your Father. May fond memories of your Father bring you comfort. Loving thoughts and prayers to you.
Angie Taylor says
John (poppy pops) so lovingly endured by all of us here at Bloom at Eagle Creek will miss you immensely.I will often reminisce of our many conversations and the witty way you responded that made me laugh loud!There have been many patients I have cared for in the past, but NONE quite like you! I am glad your struggle is over and that your with Juanita. Happy sparkling blue eyes and a smile that lit up the room that is who my poppy pops was to me.God bless the Cartwright family and May He give you strength.
John Pearce says
I regret that I shall not be in attendance at John’s Memorial but am so glad that, courtesy of his daughter Patty, I was able to visit him in the month of May both this year and last at the fine facility that cared for him. Excepting a few years when he was fishing up North with some old friends, I made it a point to visit him and Juanita for a few hours every year for over 40 years during the annual trek from my home in Michigan to Indianapolis during race time I have known John and she since the early seventies when he and I first met where we both worked in the Gas Turbine Engine Engineering Dept. at Allison. I always was proud to be a friend of both of them and in many ways have sought to follow John’s lead by trying to be as half as good a mechanical engineer as I know he was, by creating my own machine shop similar to his in my basement, and by maintaining my ’66 Corvette as he did his, etc. He and Juanita will both be missed. John Pearce
Colleen K. Hahn says
Dianne & Patty, My deepest sympathy on the loss of your father. My prayers and best wishes go out to both of you.