A Celebration of Life and Remembrance for Thomas Wayne Cartwright will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Journey Church, Pineville with Pastor James Greer officiating. The visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Graveside services will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Pineville under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be Jace Martinez, Miguel Saldana, Marshall Dougherty, Bo Nix, Greg Whitley, Joshua Vickers, John Wrubel, and Mike Farias.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Cartwright, Michael Blades, Robbie Whalen, and Gary Strickland.
Mr. Cartwright, 72, was born on June 18, 1953, and passed from this life on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in his home surrounded by family and friends.
Tommy was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, faithful friend, and godly man who finished the race with steadfast faith. Whether in his home, church, workplace, or community, Tommy led with integrity, quiet strength, and unwavering compassion.
Tommy’s Bible was well-worn, his prayers sincere, and his service consistent. He lived out his faith in tangible, life-changing ways. He did not seek recognition; he simply sought to be faithful. Through Celebrate Recovery at Journey Church, he walked alongside those seeking healing and freedom, offering hope without judgment and truth wrapped in grace. In his small group ministry, ALTARed, he believed real transformation happened in authentic community, where people could be known, loved, and prayed for.
Tommy’s compassion extended beyond the church walls. Through CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate he stood in the gap for vulnerable children, advocating faithfully and fiercely for those who could not speak for themselves His heart for the broken was clearly seen in his involvement with the nonprofit ministry, While We’re Waiting, a faith-based support group for grieving parents There, he served with deep empathy and a hope rooted in Christ. Tommy didn’t see grief as something to solve, but as a journey to walk-side by side, hand in hand.
Those who knew Tommy remember his listening ear, his gentle wisdom, and his unwavering commitment to love as Christ loved.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, James and Rachel Cartwright, and son, Chad Martinez. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Susan Frantom Cartwright; son, Jason Martinez (Lynn); grandchildren, Makayla Methvin, Jace Martinez, and Brooklyn Martinez; sister, Sharon Cartwright Kemfort, brother, David Cartwright (Rhonda), sister, Cynthia Cartwright Early, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Though our hearts ache in his absence, we rejoice in the promise he held so firmly – that to be absent in the body is to be present in the Lord. His life echoes the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Celebrate Recovery at Journey Church.