Kenneth "Cowboy" Cantrell's Obituary
Kenneth “Cowboy” Dean Cantrell
(1931 – 2016)
Kenneth Dean (aka Cowboy) Cantrell, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in the early morning of Saturday, November 26, 2016. He was a member of Huntersville United Methodist Church. He retired from Mecklenburg County Government after many years of service in the Parks and Recreation Department.
Cowboy Ken was born in the foothills of North Carolina in rural Polk County, NC to the late Archie Dean Cantrell and Gertrude Lancaster Cantrell on April 14, 1931. His upbringing helped shape his entire life and his attitude toward the value of hard work, doing what you say you are going to do, thanking God every day for every blessing received and leaning on God and not asking “why” when circumstances did not go your way. He gently departed with the same strength and conviction on his own terms and when he felt the time was right. He was a strong, proud man in all the ways that mattered, strong in Will, gentle in Spirit and always ready with a good story, life lesson to teach or even something as simple as his well-loved “Cowboy Quotes of the Day”.
Cowboy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Daphene Ledford Cantrell who passed away on October 16, 2011 and is survived by his children Deana Cantrell Bridges of Angier, NC, Susan Cantrell Kinzler (Bob Fenstermacher) of Huntersville, Allison Cantrell Allen (Johnny) of Angier, NC; seven grandchildren, Stephen and Suzanne Kinzler, Lauren, Catherine and Melissa Bridges, Zachary and Jacob Allen; plus, many nieces and nephews. A special note of gratitude goes to the following people who helped make his days more fulfilled: Starshenna “Love” Lee Phillips, Jay Hill and our Café 100 family, and the loving staff at Carillon Assisted Living.
One might ask, “How do you measure the value of a man’s life?” If you were graced with knowing Cowboy Ken, you know he strove to live each and every day of his life in a manner whereby he would be known as a good man. He demonstrated to those who were observant, a good man is honest, honorable, devoted to his Lord, wife, family and friends. He volunteered to assist whenever friends or strangers were in need, never expecting praise or thanks. He taught these lessons to everyone who would listen and even those that didn’t want to. He never met a person with whom he didn’t want to strike up a friendly conversation and thought the very best of everyone until he was proved otherwise. He reminded his family every chance he had that everything he had and everything he was he did for them and was ready to jump in and help with any situation and problem no matter how big or small. He did this out of love and devotion and with quiet humility. As each of his daughters will say without hesitation or taking a breath, there will never be a need to look any further than the face of their father to know their life hero.
He served to defend our country, honored the American flag and thanked the Lord that he lived in a nation that offered so much to its people. He admitted he wasn’t perfect, but took note of those times and worked not to repeat them. Cowboy had the ability to make a point using thought-provoking stories. He passed along to his daughters and grandchildren the values and morals that will carry them through their life. When discussing his desires for a funeral service, he wanted a simple and basic ceremony – no preaching, just remembering. His final request was, “Don’t plant no roses where there weren’t any because you preach your funeral every day of your life.”
If a man’s wealth and success on Earth is measured by the imprint he leaves then Cowboy Ken departed a true giant among men as his legacy will remain long after the flowers fade and the seasons change. His lasting legacy has been passed down to his daughters and will be passed on to his grandchildren, other family members and friends. This legacy will carry on for many generations to come and expands to the multitude of people who were truly blessed to have crossed paths with him, whether that was for a lifetime, a few seasons or a brief passing moment. Cowboy defined the true value of a good man.
A celebration of Cowboy’s life will be held at 2:00PM, Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Huntersville United Methodist Church, 14005 Stumptown Road, Huntersville NC with Rev. Paul Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in Northlake Memorial Gardens in Huntersville. The family will receive friends from 1:00p.m. to 2:00p.m. Sunday at the church. Family and friends are invited to enjoy a celebratory reception at Café 100 at 100 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to Huntersville United Methodist Church Building Fund, 14005 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC 28078.
Arrangements are by James Funeral Home, PO Box 3434, Huntersville, NC 28070-3434. Online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com
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