JAMES RICHARD CARTMILL of Huntington, W.Va., passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015. He was born on August 4, 1948, in Scott Depot, W.Va. He is survived by his wife Joan Cartmill, his three beloved daughters, Cathy Cartmill Kennedy (Scott), Jennifer Day (Joe) and Susan Beckett (Mark Ray); and three cherished grandchildren, Grant Beckett, Sara Kinney and Lane Kennedy. He is also survived by two sisters, Janet Kouris and Joann Redman both of Fla. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Opal Cartmill and his brother John Cartmill, Jr. He was an industrial electrician and supervisor who spent most of his 40-year career at Union Carbide. After retirement he worked part-time for Enterprise Car Rental. He was passionate about all sports, but particularly Marshall football and basketball. He loved going to Thursday Night Call In Shows with his group of football and basketball buddies, and he loved all home games. His main passion was baseball, and he considered it a great privilege to be able to be active with it again through his oldest grandson's, Grant, youth baseball. He helped coach everything from his T-ball to 13-15 year old Babe Ruth teams and was looking forward to helping with the Huntington High School baseball team. He influenced many young players, most of whom called him "Grandad." He was also looking forward to being active with his younger grandson's, Lane, activities as well. He spent many years coaching Senior Babe Ruth in Putnam County. He loved music, especially gospel, and he always watched Classic Gospel on PBS and sang along. He also sang in Fifth Avenue Baptist's singing Christmas Tree for three seasons. Jim was a member of Kanawha Valley Masonic Lodge, Number 36 in Buffalo, W.Va. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Cabell Huntington Hospital and especially Doctors William Nitardy, Charles Meadows and Kevin Yingling; we would also like to thank Pastor Joe Hill for his prayers and guidance. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, November 9 at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 10 at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary by Rev. Joe Hill. Burial will follow at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Teays Valley, W.Va. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Huntington, P.O. Box 464, Huntington, WV 25709 or Huntington High School Baseball Boosters, #1 Highlander Way, Huntington, WV 25701. Family guestbook at www.klingelcarpenter.com.

Published in The Herald-Dispatch on Nov. 8, 2015