Dec. 2, 2003

James P. (Jim) Cartwright, a University of Tennessee blocking back from 1958-60 and two-time Jacobs Trophy winner as the SEC's best blocker (1959-60), died Monday, Dec. 1, at his home on Watts Bar Lake in the Ten Mile community of Meigs County. He was 64.

Cartwright, who came to Tennessee from Athens (McMinn County), etched in his name in Tennessee history not only as a devastating blocker in the old single-wing formation, but is also remembered fondly for one significant play in the 1959 LSU game.

With Tennessee trailing 7-0 in the third quarter, Cartwright intercepted a pass, one of two he garnered that Nov. 7 day 44 years ago, and rambled 59 yards for a score down the west sideline to the north end, a theft and return which tied the game 7-7.

"My teammates carried me off the field up there in Knoxville," Cartwright said in 2001 of that classic game. "There's no feeling that can equal that. I get chills just thinking about it. For my teammates to honor me like that is something that has stayed with me all these years. I've got that game on film."

After leaving Tennessee, he owned and operated Cartwright Construction Company, A Rentals and Coldwell-Bankers Cartwright Real Estate. He had also developed land on Watts Bar Lake and in the Athens area.

He is survived by his wife, Kay, a sister, two daughters, two stepsons, and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church in Athens, the Rev. Les Rust officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery.

The body will lie in state at Jerry Smith Funeral Home in Athens after 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, and the family will receive friends there from 6 to 8 p.m. Honorary pallbearers will include teammates from McMinn County High School and the University of Tennessee.

Memorials may be made to the Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, 205 North Jackson Street, Athens, TN 37303.