Robert Kit Cardwell

Robert Kit Cardwell, our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle peacefully passed away on May 21, 2014 at the age of 93. He was born in Oklahoma City, OK to Horace Milton Cardwell and Lona Waneta Bridges Cardwell on January 3, 1921.

Robert grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated Dallas High School in 1940. He was in the US National Guard Troop “B” 112th Calvary in Dallas while in high school having embellished a bit about his age. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and served in Europe piloting missions over Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Normandy and Central Europe in a B17 during WWII with the 525th Squadron 379th bomb group. Robert was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, with 5 OLC, Eame Campaign Medal with 5 bronze stars, the American Theater Campaign medal and WW2 victory medal. He was a war hero and told his grandchildren they had to do as he wanted because of it.

He returned to Dallas after the war where he met and married his wife, Marge, on July 1, 1950 and they were married 56 years until her passing in 2006. They lived in Dallas where Caren was born moving shortly after to Corpus Christie where Debra was born and then moved and settled in Houston in 1957.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Wells Cole, his parents, and his brother Horace Cardwell Jr. He is survived by his daughters Caren Grant (Walter) and Debra Cardwell, his granddaughters Erin Grant Powell (Kirk), Kyle Grant Daly (John), Myra Grant Bowyer (Jeremy), and Ryan Grant Lafratta (Fernando) and his Great Grandchildren Jennifer Bethany Powell, Addison Jeanne Powell, Grant Alan Bowyer and Cole Daniel Bowyer. Robert was also survived by his Niece Beverly Cardwell Straub (Jim) and Nephew Horace (Trey) Cardwell III (Susie), unadopted son Brandon Poynter (Karen) as well as a large extended group of family and friends.

Robert enjoyed his family, the game of golf, his VFW friends at post 8790 and a little casino poker. He had a sense of humor that everyone enjoyed and knew every little detail about everything…or at least he would tell you he did. Dad was talking about Houston sports teams and what they needed to do up until his last nap.

A celebration of life was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2014 in Houston National Cemetery, with full military honors by VFW Post 8790.