May 5 1937 May 30 2019 (age 82)
James “Bob” Robert Cantrell Sr, 82, surrounded by his loving family, returned to his heavenly home on May 30, 2019 after a long illness. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. Bob was born to the late George Othello and Elizabeth Fern Mallory in Wyandotte, MI on May 5, 1937. He married the love of his life, Ruth Ilse Fricke, on September 11, 1961 in Bremerhaven, Germany. He honored his country with 22 years of service in the United States Navy, retiring in 1975. He then spent many years working for various companies, including Keyboard Communications, Chesapeake Finished Metals, Digene Diagnostics, and most recently, the Martin County FL Sheriff’s Office, retiring in 2004. In 1985, he received an Associate of Arts degree from Anne Arundel Community College in MD. Bob and Ruth were blesssed with a daughter, Monika, and a son, James Robert Jr, and 5 grandchildren. In addition to his wife and children, he was Opa to, and survived by, grandchildren Jason Kallgren, Elizabeth Kallgren, Brandon Hoffman, Ryan Cantrell, and Nicole Cantrell. He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Corbett, Gerald “Danny”, and George “Butch”. In his spare time, Bob was an avid fisherman, hunter, bowler, and golfer. He was also a man of faith, and spent countless hours volunteering in church activities. A special thank you to the people at Health First Viera Hospital in Melbourne for their loving care and support during his final days. Bob will be buried with military honors in a ceremony on June 14th at 10:30am at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL, with a gathering the following day (June 15th). Details to come.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Senior Chief Petty Officer James Bob Robert Cantrell Sr USN Ret May 5 1937 May 30 2019 (age 82).
Beckman Williamson Funeral Home: Pickens Bill
Death notice for the town of: Rockledge, state: Florida