He was born Jan. 8, 1936 to the late James Riley Monroe Cantrell and Alma Williams Cantrell.
Mr. Cantrell graduated from Taylorsville High School, attended Berry College and graduated from Coosa Valley Tech as a machinist. He was also a barber, a Boy Scout leader, a farmer, a cattleman, a hunter and a fisherman. Mr. Cantrell was also a Veteran of the U.S. Army.
He was a member of Cornerstone Independent Baptist Church and a past Master of John W. Akin Lodge No. 537 F. & A.M., a Scottish Rite, York Rite and a 32 degree Mason.
Mr. Cantrell retired after 32 years from the Lonestar Cement Plant in Cape Girardeau, Miss., formerly Marquette Cement, where he was a machinist.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Free Cantrell; a son, David W. and wife Lori B. Cantrell of Dublin, Calif.; daughter, Patrice Marlene and husband Craig Light of Bentonville, Ark.; brothers and sisters, James (Billie Ann) Cantrell of Thomasville, Gene Cantrell of Taylorsville, Bill Cantrell of Cartersville, Betty Sue (Melvin) Scott of Taylorsville, Rufus (Kathy) Cantrell of Taylorsville, Raiford (Linda) Cantrell of Ellijay, Catherine (Alton) Hufstetler of Adairsville, Lamar (Linda) Cantrell of Taylorsville and Sherry Elaine (James) Dupree of Kingston; five grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and extended relatives.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 6 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of the Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home with eulogies, poems and music by his children, grandchildren and brothers and prayer by Pastor Bill Avery. Masonic Rites were by John W. Akin Lodge No. 537 F. & A.M..
Interment services were held Monday Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, with Military Honors.
Pallbearers included: Tim Burns, Bob Allen, Daren Wright, Aaron Woods, Cary Hayes and Jimmy Moore.
Honorary pallbearers were: Ronald Hicks, Gary Stokes, Shane Watson, David Howard and all Masonic brothers.
The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements