John Leonard ("Buddy") Cathcart

John Leonard Cathcart, 91, passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at his Charlotte home surrounded by his loving family. A Charlotte native, he was born in 1926, the son of the late John Leonard Cathcart and Louise Hall Cathcart. A graduate of Berryhill High School, John joined the Navy during WWII. He proudly served his nation and saw action in the pacific theater aboard the USS Shangri-La (CV-38) aircraft carrier. He served as an F4U Corsair aircraft mechanic, where he developed a lifelong love for aviation.

Upon his return he met and married his beloved wife, Carole Frances Cline. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage together and had one daughter, Melanie Carole Cathcart. In addition to his wife and daughter, his survivors include his two grandchildren, Geoffrey Cathcart North and Alexandra Marie North; his sister Dorothy Cathcart Fesperman; brother-in-law, Thomas Ray House; and numerous nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by a sister, Raymelle Cathcart House of Charlotte, NC. John was a commercial pilot as well as a flight instructor for several years. He retired from the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Upon retirement John taught air traffic controller school in Norman, Oklahoma. He was a member of the Westgate Masonic Lodge and the Oasis Shrine Temple, serving in the Keystone Kops division. John’s accomplishments did not stop there. He was an avid and skilled golfer, a charter member of Pine Island Country Club with a record six hole-in-ones and a lowest handicap of five. He was a talented and gifted artist, working primarily in oils. His characteristic strength and determination shone when he dug an entire basement using only a shovel. He also enjoyed cooking, woodworking, and always had a project he was working on. He was the true embodiment of a Renaissance Man! He will be missed dearly.

The family is most appreciative of the care given by Dr. Daniel Wise, Candy Wise, and their staff at the Cardiology Specialists of the Carolinas, the Hospice team (Suzanne, Erica, and Elsie), and his nephew, Chip Cline for the continued care and personal assistance.

A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Cathcart will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Durham Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte. Burial will follow, with Military and Masonic Honors, at Forest Lawn Cemetery - West, Charlotte. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 11:00 on Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org), Novant Health Hospice and Supportive Care (www.novanthealth.org/presbyterian-medical-center/services/hospice.aspx), or to Durham Memorial Baptist Church, 1601 Toddville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214. Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is serving the family.

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