Blessings for Riley

Hi! My name is Lanette Stice and I felt the need to start a Go Fund Me Page for Mr/Coach/Reverend Riley Cartwright. Riley has been so many things to so many people, but no matter what his title was at the time, he has always been a BLESSING! Riley was diagnosed with cancer in July and needs all of our prayers and support! All you have to do is meet Riley to know he is compassionate about everything he does in life, but especially about life itself and ALL the people in it. He is a man of integrity and exudes the joy of the Lord in his face, his words, his actions and his HUGS! Now we have an opportunity to give back some of those blessings he has given to us! Someone started one for us 15 years ago when my son, Jordan was paralyzed in a fourwheeler accident. It was a humbling experience and such a blessing as there are so many extra expenses when personal catastrophy hits. My prayer is that this Go Fund Me page, named " Blessings for Riley", will help the family with his care while he heals and help with the many incidentals not covered by insurance.

I asked Justin to share some info about his dad and this is what he wrote: On July 19 he had surgery to remove tumors from his bladder region, and upon testing the tumors were deemed cancerous. He was then referred to KU Medical Center, and on August 26 underwent a major surgery. His bladder, prostate, and the lymph nodes in those areas were all removed. He then had a pouch created for him to urinate to. Complications after surgery kept him in the hospital for a week. He had a severe (and annoying) case of the hiccups, which caused nausea, vomiting, and overall discomfort. Even after the natural processes restarted, the hiccups remained. Since having surgery, he has lost over 20 pounds.

At this time, Riley is staying with Justin while he and his sister, Kim, take care of Riley. You may give here or give directly to Riley's account at Great Southern Bank under Riley Cartwright.

Riley grew up in Coffeyville Kansas and graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1964. He subsequently went to college at Pittsburg State University, but was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he spent 11 months before being honorably discharged. He then began a teaching career as a middle school math teacher in Parsons, where he taught for 34 years. He also coached football, basketball, and track and field, winning a track and field state title in 1991 and a basketball state title in 1987. He served for many years as a Lay Minister for the United Methodist Church serving in Oswego, Chetopa, Faith United Methodist in Parsons and at Hamilton Chapel in Parsons for several years. He was married to his first wife, Jackie, for 28 years before she passed away in 1999. He has been married to his current wife, Joyce, for 19 years.