G. Richard Cartledge

George Richard Cartledge, age 93, went to be with the Lord on June 13, 2024. Richard died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones and under the care of Hospice. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years and the love of his life, Harriett Bannister Cartledge, and their infant son Wayne. He is survived by his sister, Jean Giles, of Abbeville, SC, sister-in-law, Charlotte Smith of Abbeville, SC, daughters; Cindy Murdock (Roderick) and Debbie Caricari (Tony), grandchildren; Jonathan Murdock (Nina) and son Cooper, Ashley Cramer (Shawn) and son, Griffin, Austin Caricari (fiancee Michayla) and sons, Benson and Brayden all of Rock Hill, SC, and Christopher (Chrishana) Caricari and daughter, Melanie of York, SC. 

Richard was born on April 28, 1931, in Liberty, SC, to George Bell Cartledge and Marguerite Finley Cartledge. He graduated from Abbeville High School in 1949 and then went on to attend the Citadel for three semesters before joining the US Army. During his time with the Army, he served as a member of the Signal Corp where he worked alongside Bell Labs employees to help establish communications in the post WW2 devastated Germany. Upon returning to Abbeville, SC, he continued his work in communications by becoming one of the three original employees of West Carolina Rural Telephone Coop., where he worked for forty years before retiring as Operations Manager. In addition to helping build the network for West Carolina, he also served on state committees helping small telephone companies in SC establish communications in underserved rural areas of the state. He was a former member of the Abbeville Lions Club, Pioneer Club, the Clinton Masonic Lodge, and Abbeville First Baptist Church.

In addition to his career with West Carolina, Richard successfully owned and operated both an electronics company repairing HAM radios throughout the state of SC and a software company that automated telephone plant records keeping and network troubleshooting and testing. His love of technology continued throughout his life, and he was believed by his family to be one of the few 90+ year olds explaining the new Apple technologies and releases to his children and grandchildren.

Richard enjoyed camping, and he and Harriett had numerous adventures exploring the country. He also took his children and grandchildren on many camping trips to the beach and to the lake where they enjoyed fishing, tubing, and water skiing. He was always ready and willing to make time to talk, offer advice, and assist his family with any needs that they had. 

He lived a beautiful 93 years on this Earth, and has now peacefully moved on to eternity with his beloved. His legacy will continue on through his surviving family.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in the Abbeville First Baptist Church Christian Life Center. Funeral services will follow on Thursday beginning at 3:00PM with the Rev. Moses Aleman officiating, followed by a graveside service at the Long Cane Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, 2275 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732, or by visiting www.hospice.communitycare.org.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Cartledge family.