Obituaries

Our Lord called James Louis Cantrell home Sunday, September 7, 2014, passing peacefully into eternal life, just 39 days shy of his 98th birthday. He was born on his great-uncle’s farm October 16, 1916, in Wolfe City, TX, the fourth child born to Joseph Ernest and Mary Ann (Pickens) Cantrell. James loved to tell stories of being reared on a cotton farm in Fannin County along with five sisters and one brother; of his first paying job at age 14, how he began his day at 2:30 a.m. to milk thirty-five cows twice a day; how he and his younger brother JD strapped rubber around the metal wagon wheels so it wouldn’t be so loud coming down the rocky lane on the farm. James still remembers the family’s first car, a 1917 Model T Ford. Known simply as ‘Brother’, James was very close to his siblings and today they all, along with his late wife, welcome him into the gates of Heaven. In 1938, James met the love of his life, Margaret Louise Harlan in Denison, TX. They married January 6, 1940 in a double ceremony with James’s brother, JD, at First Baptist Church in Denison, beginning a successful 71 years of marriage. In 1943, James joined the United States Navy, and was sent to the jungle of the South Pacific’s Bougainville, Solomon Islands. There the 77th Seabees Construction Battalion moved 80,000 cubic yards of earth in eight days clearing the jungle to build an airstrip and roads. They fashioned their own defense line of trenches and bomb shelters. James was a Purple Heart recipient for his injuries during the Japanese bombings of Bougainville. After his service in World War II, James began working in the bearing industry in Dallas, TX, working for Cottingham Bearing through the 1950’s until the mid 1960’s. In 1965, James, with his wife and son, moved to Sherman where they started their business, Texoma Bearings & Supplies, originally beginning operation at 123 E. Cherry, until expanding and relocating to 1809 Texoma Dr. They operated their business successfully for fifteen years, opening other locations in Dallas and Ardmore, OK. James and Margaret retired in 1980 to enjoy more time on their farm, selling their business to Motion Industries. James became a charter member in 1966 of Trinity Baptist Church in Sherman, where he was a Deacon, the Treasurer, taught Sunday School and was active in the choir. James loved God and was obedient in loving people and many loved James. He enjoyed spending time teaching and working the youth out on his farm. Many memories and telling of stories of years long ago can still be heard told today. James impacted many lives with his life toward building the Kingdom of God. James and Margaret were members of the Texas Wagon Trail Association. They rode in the 1986 Texas Sesquicentennial 3,000 mile Trail Ride, outlining the Texas Borders in their covered wagon pulled by his two Belgian horses, Tom and Jerry, along with 106 other wagons and 291 horseback riders. The trail ride pulled out of Sulphur Springs on January 2nd heading down into the Valley, out through the Davis Mountains to El Paso, up through the Panhandle to Amarillo, down along the Red River Valley ending up in the Fort Worth Stockyards in July 3rd. James continued his love of people, his Belgian horses and covered wagons as a member of the Grayson County Sheriff’s Posse. Many may well remember James’ red covered wagon riding in parades, at the opening of the Texoma Quarter Horse Association rodeos and entertaining kids at Trinity VBS. James was lovingly cared for by his son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Debra Cantrell who want to thank Carrus Specialty Hospital rehab specialists, nurses, doctors and aides for their loving care these last few months. Services for Mr. Cantrell will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11, 2014 at Trinity Baptist Church in Sherman. Rev. Jason Anderson will be officiating. Military interment will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park. James will be buried alongside his late wife, Margaret. Pallbearers will be Lynn Bagley, Corey Bates, Rick Hill, Jay James, James Mahon and Gary Park. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Dannel Funeral Home, located at 302 S. Walnut in Sherman. Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home. Condolences may be registered online at www.dannelfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Trinity Baptist Church or Carrus Specialty Hospital in James Louis Cantrell’s name. James will be greatly missed but we rejoice in the reality that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he now dwells with God. In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes that even as his outer nature is wasting away, God was already at work renewing his inner nature. James was healed through his death and welcomed home to God’s presence forever. “Welcome Home, My good and faithful servant.”