James was born in Beckley, WV on July 21, 1958 to the late Robert and Juanita (Birchfield) Cantrell and grew up in West Virginia and Ohio. In 1976, he graduated from Brunswick High School, in Ohio and then began his career in the United States Air Force, where he became a munitions expert and later served as a recruiter. He retired from the Air Force with 20 years of service, obtaining the rank of Tech Sergeant (E7) and went on to become an entrepreneur. Family, God and Country were always his priorities.
James enjoyed watching Abbot and Costello and Jerry Lewis television programs and telling jokes at family get-togethers. He also enjoyed listening to “Oldies Music” and any music by Elvis. He also enjoyed model building and collecting coins, but the thing he enjoyed most was being a family man and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, his paternal grandparents, Heman and Irene (Addis) Cantrell; his maternal grandparents, Leonard W. and Lula V. (Hill) Birchfield; and his adoptive grandmother, Ruth Addis, preceded him in death.
James is survived by his wife, Yong Suk Cantrell; children, Juanina Kocher and her husband, Ryan; Angelina Cantrell and her husband, Jonathon Streetman; grandchildren, Kye Streetman, Aerie Streetman and Tristan Kocher; siblings, Joseph D. Cantrell and his wife, Helen; Robert A. Cantrell and his wife, Yolanda; Sharon R. Cantrell and her partner, Dave; and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside funeral service will be held 11:30 AM Wednesday, November 10, 2021 in Georgia National Cemetery, in Canton, GA. A lunch gathering will be held immediately after the service at 12:30pm at Goin Coastal 125 W Main St, Canton, GA 30114.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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