Al Leon Cartmill, age 94, a longtime Cushing resident passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at the Cushing Regional Hospital. Funeral services have been entrusted to the Palmer Marler Funeral Home and will be held at the Church of Christ (9th Street & Linwood Avenue) in Cushing at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2009 with Mr. Wendyl Heffington and Mr. Bob Fitzgerald officiating.
Al was born in Tecumseh, OK on April 12, 1915 to Alford W. Cartmill and Della (Shelton) Cartmill. He grew up in the Shamrock and Seminole area graduating from Varnam High School north of Seminole. Following high school Al attended East Central University in Ada for two years before entering the United States Army. Al then volunteered to be a parachute trooper in the Army Airborne Artillery eventually serving with the Special Forces, later known as the “Green Berets.” Al served in the European and Asiatic-Pacific theaters with the 11th Airborne and with the group known as the “Horrible Nine.” Prior to receiving his honorable discharge on March 12, 1946, Al earned the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
Al was married to the love of his life, Gertrude Casey on July 5, 1947 in Shawnee Oklahoma. The couple moved to Cushing in 1953 where Al worked as a civil engineer for Amoco Pipeline. They were members of the Church of Christ in Cushing, and in his spare time Al enjoyed hunting, playing golf, and cards.
In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Gertrude, two sons, Don Cartmill and Ron Cartmill; two brothers, Ed Cartmill and Joe Cartmill, and two sisters Mary Smith and Beulah Cook.
He is survived by one son, Keith Cartmill and wife Sharon of Cushing; grandchildren Casey Cartmill and wife Yvonndalona of Cushing, and Brian Cartmill of Stillwater; and great grandson Alexander Cartmill; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Condolences and an online guestbook are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com.
A video tribute honoring Al’s life can be view at www.palmermarlerfh.com.
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