Mr. James Malcolm “Big Jim” Cantrell, 71 of Spring City, Tenn., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, in the Parkwest Medical Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
He was born Dec. 7, 1949, in Maryville, Tenn. He was a member of the Whites Creek Baptist Church in Rockwood, Tenn. and the Stecoah Baptist Church in Robbinsville, N.C. He was retired Power Plant Operator at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston, Tenn. Fossil Fuel Plant.
Mr. Cantrell was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of the Rockwood V.F.W. Post, No. 4782. He was a member of the “Rockwood McDonalds Coffee Club.” He loved guns and was a proud member of the N.R.A.
He loved to talk and give hugs, and was always willing to help anyone in need.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo and Lois Andrews; uncles, Keith Crisp, George Smith, Walt Hyde and Marvin Cantrell; and aunt, Lillian Cantrell Snapp.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Debbie Cantrell of Spring City, Tenn.; sons and daughter-in-law, Jeremiah Cantrell (Whitney) of Rockwood, Tenn., and Gabe Cantrell of Rockwood, Tenn.; grandchildren, Julian, Annabelle and James “Jamie” Cantrell; brothers and sisters, John Andrews of Robbinsville, N.C., Judy Carpenter of Robbinsville, N.C. and Connie Parker of Cherokee, N.C.; best friends, Darrell Jones of Hendersonville, N.C.; David Hyde of Robbinsville, N.C.; and David “Spook” Harrell of Kingston, Tenn.
Several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends also survive.
The family received friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at Whites Creek Baptist Church in Rockwood, Tenn.
A celebration of life service followed at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at from Whites Creek Baptist Church, with Pastor Roger Britton officiating.
Full military honors were rendered by the Roane County Military Memorial Honor Guard and the Tennessee Army National Guard.
A Celebration of Life service will also be held at Stecoah Baptist Church in Robbinsville, N.C. at a later date.
Interment will be held in the Hazie Brown Cemetery in Stecoah (near Robbinsville) in Graham County, N.C. at a later date.
An online register is available at evansmortuary.biz.
Evans Mortuary of Rockwood, Tenn. is serving the family of Mr. James Malcolm “Big Jim” Cantrell.