James Garth Cartee

Our loving father James Garth Cartee of Eustis, Fl died Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Orlando, FL at the age of 87 years. Jimmy was born on June 1, 1936 and raised in Decatur, Alabama. He graduated from High School and met his one true love in college while acting in a play where he played the Devil and my mother played a Gun Moll who had gone to Hell. He was drafted into the Army and after Basic Training they married. They were stationed in San Antonio, TX, then Fort Knox, KY where they lived in Vine Grove (a town the size of a postage stamp). Upon his discharge they settled in the Orlando, FL area where he remained until his death. He helped raise two daughters Lynette and her younger sister Jenifer who was born severely Retarded and Autistic

He is survived by his sister Carolyn Williams, Morgan County, AL, his daughters, Lynette Dickerson and Jenifer Cartee of Apopka, Fl, four grandchildren, Christopher, Joshua, Curtis Konkel, and Sara Dickerson and 10 great grandchildren, and many Nieces and Nephews.

He was a Builder/Realtor, however, he was at his best when wheeling and dealing. He could sell ice to Eskimo’s. He won the hearts of many women throughout the south traveling and selling fresh Florida Citrus, Ferns, Strawberries and other wares. He even traded a house we had flipped that was constantly being vandalized for 2000 pairs of men’s dress pants. We had a Concession Stand and Moon Walks (Bouncy House’s). We worked multiple Carnivals at schools, and churches etc. He would come home and ask if we were packed and ready to go and we would travel throughout the US on a whim. In my eyes he was truly larger than life and made my childhood wonderful.

His favorite hobbies were fishing, and playing poker with family and friends over the years and then tournaments at the Senior Center and Moose Club in Daytona. He always made time for his grandchildren. He would take his grandson’s on his selling trips which they regarded as some of the fondest memories of their lives. He gave them their love of the outdoors by teaching them to fish and that they could fish with anything, including Marshmallows. He also taught them magic card tricks, chess and of course dirty jokes. One of my fondest memories was when, as a child I would sit outside at night with him and star gaze, he would teach me about the Constellations and Planets.

He was raised a Southern Baptist but later in life became an Episcopalian and was a member of Church of the Holy Spirit in Apopka, Florida where he will be entered after a Celebration of Life in the Spring of 2024.