Jeffery Owen Cartwright Obituary

It is with great sadness the family announce the passing of Jeffery Cartwright on August 28, 2026, the void he will leave in the hearts of his family will not be filled-for the community of Drayton Valley we have lost a true "friend" to all, never did he walk by without a hello and a smile. He always offered a helping hand, a kind word, a generous heart, and a friendship with nothing expected in return.

Survived by, and lovingly remembered by, his siblings: Dale Ellen Cartwright-McLeod, Richard (Jinny Park) Cartwright, Gloria (Kevin) Luft, Juan Carlos (Nancy Moore) Cartwright, Amando Cartwright, and Fernando (Holly) Cartwright, as well as his nieces and nephews and their spouses, along with his great nieces and great nephews and his father Dale Cartwright. Jeff was predeceased by his mother, Thelma Cartwright and by an infant nephew.

Jeff lived at Griesbach Army Base in Edmonton until age 2, then moved with his family to Penhold Canadian Forces Base for one year, and then moving to Drayton Valley in 1966, at age 3. Other than moving to Edmonton to attend Martech College in his twenties, Jeff has lived in Drayton Valley for the remainder of his days.

As a young boy, Jeff loved playing hockey, fishing, camping and cookouts. A few stand out memories were attending the Bobby Orr and Mike Walton Hockey Camp in Orillia, Ontario, travelling to Ontario and New Brunswick to meet his mother's family, and a trip to West Virginia to meet his paternal relatives.

Jeff's love for sports continued as he reached his teenage years and young adulthood. In the winter he could often be found refereeing a hockey game or playing recreational hockey and in the summer, he enjoyed playing slo-pitch.

In his later years, Jeff found his place in the Drayton Valley community by volunteering at Warming Hearts, serving on local committees including the Pembina Crisis Connections Society (PCCS), the Pods Sub Committee and the Friends of the Library, as well as providing security at Drayton Thunder games. The people he served within these capacities, very much became more than just friends, some like Kelly and Dave Forster were like family to him.

Jeff's siblings and their families wish to thank the physicians and nursing staff at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre, Cancer Centre, Emergency Department and Acute Care, as well as his oncology team from the Cross Cancer Institute, for the excellent care they have provided Jeff over the last few years. Thank you also to his brother-in-law Kevin for consistently getting Jeff to his appointments in Edmonton and to Kelly and Dave for their continuous friendship and care for Jeff.

In lieu of flowers a donation in Jeff's name can be made to Warming Hearts or the Bench in memory of Jeff.

A Celebration of Jeff's Life will be held on Friday September 18, 2026 at 1: PM at the Drayton Valley Alliance Church, 5014 56 Ave Drayton Valley.