Dr. Dale Jesteen Cartwright was born in Norman, Oklahoma on December 15, 1929. He graduated from University High School, Norman, Oklahoma in 1946. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1950 and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Washington University School of Dentistry in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1954.
Dale met his future wife Florence Smith while she was attending nurse’s training and he was in dental school. They married on June 13, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri.
After graduation from dental school, Dr. Dale joined the U.S. Air Force and he and Florence moved to Waco, Texas, where he served as a general dentist at James Connolly Air Force Base. He was honorably discharged in 1956. That same year, in the summer of 1956, they moved to Cabool, Missouri, where he joined his uncle’s (Dr. H.R. Cartwright) dental practice.
During his dental career he served on the dental staff of Texas County Memorial Hospital, he was a member of the Missouri State Board of Dental Examiners for five years and president in 1987. He was a member of the Central Regional Dental Testing Service for ten years and member of the Central Regional Dental Testing Service Steering Committee for six years. Dr. Dale also served on the Missouri State Fluoridation Committee for three years.
Other professional associations included the Springfield Dental Society (president 1962), Missouri Dental Association (Board of Governors 1975-1981; trustee 1981-82), American Dental Association (lifetime member), Fellow American College of Dentistry (since 1976), Fellow Academy of General Dentistry (since 1980), Fellow International College of Dentists (since 1983), and American Academy of Implant Dentistry member.
Dr. Cartwright’s civic activities included: Cabool Jaycees, president 1962; Cabool R-4 Board of Education eight years, serving as vice-president and president; member of Kiwanis International; member of Cabool Development Corporation and Cabool Area Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Dale was mayor of Cabool for three terms, first elected in 1982. He was a member of the American Tree Farm System and “Regional Tree Farmer of the Year” in 1988. Dr. Dale also served on the Board of Directors of the Cabool State Bank. He was named Cabool’s “Man of the Year” in 1986. Dr. Dale was also an active member of the Cabool First United Methodist Church, serving on many committees and singing in the church choir. He was also instrumental in the planning and building of the existing church.
During his lifetime, Dr. Dale enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, tree farming, four-wheel exploring through his farms, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Dale Cartwright was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Florence VanLeer (Smith) Cartwright; his parents, Dr. Benjamin Asa and Mrs. Sadie Victoria (Obert) Cartwright; in-laws Mr. Granville Physic and Mrs. Florence Edith (Yager) Smith; brothers Dr. Roland Cartwright and his wife Marilyn Cartwright and Dr. Lyle Cartwright; and brother-in-law Councilor Robert Blackstock.
He is survived by his daughter Dr. Teresa Lynn Cartwright; son Capt. Jeffry Dale Cartwright and his wife Mrs. Kathryn Keating Cartwright; grandchildren Dr. Mary Kathryn and husband Mr. Piero Duello and Mr. Christopher Jeffry Cartwright; sister Mrs. Elaine (Cartwright) Blackstock; and sister-in-law Mrs. Nancy Cartwright; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, loved family members, and dear friends.
