Jerry Lynn Cantrell was born October 2, 1946, in Newport Arkansas to Vernon Leonard Cantrell and Nola Mae Foster Cantrell. He and his younger brother Danny Pruitt Cantrell (Beth) were raised in the small town of Oil Trough Arkansas Population 220. He attended Oil Trough High School and served as President of his senior class of 1964.

He had the first home in town with indoor plumbing and the entire school did a field trip to see it.

Jerry loved his country and joined the United States Air Force in 1965. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1968, just months after he married his high school sweetheart, Claudia Kay Johnson. He was a devoted husband and cherished his wife. He sent love letters throughout their marriage always to remind her of his love.

After serving 4 years in the Air Force, he was honorably discharged in 1969 and awarded the Bronze star in Vietnam. Jerry was goal driven and wanted to be a provider for his family so with the money from the GI Bill he continued his education at the University of Central Arkansas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as vice president of engineering in the vending and jukebox industry where he designed machines. He worked at Polyvend and Amana in Arkansas, Vendo in Kansas, Mississippi, and California, CoinCo in Missouri, Fawn Engineering (The Wittern Group) in Iowa, and Rowe International in Michigan. He was also successful in selling Real estate alongside his wife during the 1980's and 1990's.

Jerry and Kay raised four children. Creighton Cantrell (Sharon), Marla Nelson (Kevin), the late Jera Stevens (Vince), and Krista Cantrell.

Jerry was a role model for his children and raised them with a foundation of Jesus to love and serve others. He exemplified many beautiful characteristics. He was a provider and a giver. He taught his children to be generous and if someone asked for a dollar to give them two. Souvenirs were always a highlight for his children after he returned from his work trips. They always knew he was thinking of them while he was away with these little gestures. He instilled a love for family and always being there for his children.

Jerry served as a deacon in the Church of Christ in the 1980's where he helped with the Spanish congregation, supported missionaries and other good works.

He was sacrificial and left his job in Missouri to move to Texas to help his daughter raise her 3 small children. He loved them not only as Papa but stepped up to the task of being their father figure.

He was a doting grandfather of 10 grandchildren, Joshua Cantrell (Kim), Jacob Cantrell, Abby Yarbrough (Ethan), Kaleb Cantrell, Hannah Cantrell, Faith Cantrell, Austin Stevens, Annah Stevens, Katie Stevens, and Sophie Stevens.  He also had 5 great grandchildren. Sophie Cantrell, Westley Cantrell, Violet Cantrell, Evelyn Cantrell, and David Yarbrough.

Jerry passed away on Tuesday May 30th, 2023 at the age of 76 years old after a short battle of an aggressive cancer, Burkitts Lymphoma.

He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Nola Cantrell and his daughter, Jera Stevens. We can rest assured he is walking the streets of gold in Heaven and waiting for us.