Ronald Cartee

RONALD K. CARTEE, SR.

July 31, 1943 – January 10, 2025

Ronald K. Cartee, Sr. was born and raised in Greenup County KY, a son of the late Russell & Grace Fields Cartee. He married Diane G. (Caudill) Cartee on January 18, 1964, and together they had their only child, a son and future business partner, Ron Jr. In addition, Ronald is survived by his daughter in law, Vicki (Nagel) Cartee; two grandchildren, Chelsea Cartee and Reagan Cartee; a brother, William Franklin Cartee along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death along with his parents by a brother, Russell Elwood Cartee and two sisters, Katheryn Secrest and Betty Keen.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Morehead State University in 1965 and worked union construction as a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 577 out of Portsmouth, OH.  He, along with his wife, established Cartee Land Development, Inc. in 1978 as a company to build housing subdivisions in Portsmouth, OH to include numerous upscale residences.

With their son, Ron, Jr., the family ventured into the fast-food business in 1989 by opening a Taco Time restaurant in Portsmouth, OH.  The opportunity to become an Arby’s franchisee for the family transpired in 1990 and the company opened its’ very first Arby’s in New Boston, OH. They would eventually go on to own and operate 27 Arby’s restaurants located throughout the tri-state area of KY, OH, and WV. They sold all their Arby’s in the summer of 2018 to then retire from the restaurant business.

Ron’s Honors and Recognitions:

He served as President over 5 companies employing over 600 people throughout KY, OH, and WV.

2008 recipient of the prestigious “President’s Award” by Arby’s– the most distinguished national award given by Arby’s Inc. to honor lifetime achievement and success in the Arby’s system world-wide. This award is given only to one recipient every two years.

He won “Developer of the Year” (a National World-Wide Award) on 2 separate occasions with Arby’s and is a past “Five Star Award Winner” for restaurant of the year competing against over 3500 stores.

His companies were a charitable partner in its’ local communities and collaborated with Arby’s nationally with both “Big Brothers/Big Sisters” and “No Child Hungry” Campaigns.

In addition to the Arby’s development, he directly assisted in developing real estate projects that brought jobs to the area in the following industries: hotels, restaurants, and various retail outlets.

His companies were awarded both the “Family Business of the Year” and “Overall Business of the Year” by the MSU Ashland Business Development Center of Northeast KY.

The Chamber of Commerce while living in Portsmouth, OH locally recognized him as “Business person of the Year”.

In 2018, one of the highest honors to ever be presented in his lifetime was his induction into the Morehead State University Alumni Hall of Fame. That same year, Ron and Diane were also the primary donor of the renovated Adron Doran Center on the MSU campus.

Established in 2019, the Cartees made a generous donation to the MSU Foundation and created the Ronald and Diane Cartee Scholarship Endowment.

In November 2023, the Cartee Family unveiled a bronze Eagle statue featuring a 12-foot wingspan to honor Morehead State University’s 100 years as a public institution. The statue honors the commitment to helping students soar higher.

He presently serves on the MSU Foundation Board of Trustees.

He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jesse Stuart Foundation – a non-profit organization of the nationally acclaimed poet and writer from his local community. He is a past “Board Member of the Year” and has personally donated an extremely rare collection of first edition books (less than 10 world-wide) written by Mr. Stuart to the local Greenup County Library.

He is a recipient of the Class of 2021 Greenup County Schools Hall of Fame.

He previously served on the local affiliate Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bank representing the entire tri-state area.

He presently serves on the Board of Directors of Super-Quik, Inc. – a regional gas and convenience store company.

He was a present member of the Ashland Business Club and the Ashland Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge, Portsmouth Elks, Ashland El Hasa Shriners, Jesters and a KY Colonel.

He was a benefactor of the new WW II Memorial to be completed later this year in downtown Ashland.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Greenup Christian Church at 711 Main Street Greenup KY 41144 by Bobby Hall.  

Burial will follow in the Siloam Cemetery in South Shore KY.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, and one hour before the funeral service Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Ron and Diane Cartee Family Scholarship Endowment at Morehead State University. The scholarship support scholarships for students from Greenup County studying at MSU. Contributions can be made online at alumni.moreheadstate.edu/cartee

Contributions are also welcome to be made to the Jesse Stuart Foundation at jsfbooks.com.

Wright’s Funeral Home in Greenup, KY. has been entrusted with the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald Cartee, please visit our floral store.