Gerald Lester "Gerry" Carttar

Gerald L. “Gerry” Carttar, 84, of Harvard, Nebraska, formerly of Johnson Lake, died Sunday, February 8, 2009, at Harvard Rest Haven in Harvard. He was born May 13, 1924, at Wichita, Kansas, to Eugene A. and Ethel G. (Naden) Carttar. Gerald grew up in the Wichita area where he graduated from Wichita High School East. He was united in marriage to Barbara Jones on October 28, 1948, at Wichita. Barbara preceded him in death on October 24, 1994. He was then united in marriage to Martha McFadden on August 24, 1996. Gerald was a veteran of WWII, where he served in the United States Navy as an aviation electrician on the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid. He was honorably discharged in March of 1946. Upon his discharge, he returned to the States and wrote manuals for Beech Aircraft and was a HAM operator. After Beech, he was employed with Boeing in Wichita in the Antenna Lab where he worked on B52 Electronic Warfare systems. After Boeing, he owned and operated Kansas Two-Way Radio Service in Wichita, and was a member of the Wichita Police Reserve as well as deputized with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department. The couple moved to the Lexington area in 1971, where he was a technical writer for Reach Electronics and self-employed in communications for 16 years. He was also the local Locksmith since 1979. Gerald was always active in the community; he was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shrine Club, VFW, Lexington Chamber of Commerce and the First United Methodist Church. Gerry was a kind man with a little grin that sprang into a full-blown smile when telling his stories. He so enjoyed being with his family and hearing all the details in their lives. He will be so very missed. Survivors include his wife: Martha Carttar of Lexington, Nebraska Sons: Greg Carttar and significant other, Char Harner of Branson, Missouri Thaine Carttar of Tucson, Arizona Larry and Marsha Carttar of Branson, Missouri Daughters: Candace and Martin Ward of Littleton, Colorado Gerianne and Mark Poulsen of Great Falls, Montana Stepson: Jerry Patterson of Lexington, Nebraska Stepdaughter: Loy and Jimmy Kyle of Cozad, Nebraska Seven grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, twenty-four step-great-grandchildren and eleven step-great-great-grandchildren. Gerry was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Barbara; and one brother, Richard. Gerry’s body was cremated. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 20, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Reverend Todd Karges officiating. Masonic Rites will be recited at the Memorial Service by Thistle Lodge #61. Inurnment will be held Saturday, February 21, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Wichita, Kansas with Military Honors. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Aseracare Hospice in Kearney, Nebraska or Harvard Rest Haven in Harvard, Nebraska. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements: Online condolences or guest book signature may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.