On the morning of November 26, 2019, Randall Ralph Cantrell, surrounded by his loving wife and two daughters, passed from this world to be with his Lord and Savior. Randy was born July 8, 1948, in Greenville, SC, the son of Ralph Henry Cantrell and Cora Lee Vaughn. He graduated from Wade Hampton High School in 1966 and entered The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. During his senior year he was selected to be a member of the 1970 Summerall Guards, an elite precision drill platoon. After graduating in 1970, Randy was assigned to Columbus Air Force Base, MS, to enter pilot training as a 2nd Lieutenant. Thus began a thirty year Air Force career, during which he held a variety of positions such as instructor pilot, AOC at the Air Force Academy, and head of the Air Force promotion board, eventually earning the rank of Colonel. He retired from active duty in 2002.
After retirement from the Air Force Randy took a position working at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC. However, his penchant for teaching eventually led him to be an Air Force ROTC instructor at Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, NC. He loved working with the young people. His innovative teaching skills kept his students engaged in the process of learning, and he enjoyed watching them grow and develop. In addition, his guidance and direction helped many students change from a negative path in life to a more positive one. After five years of teaching Randy retired to pursue his many interests and to enjoy time with his children and grandchildren.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Dale Lee Cantrell. Surviving are his devoted wife, Lisa; his loving daughters Emlee Cantrell Cuevas and husband Rick, and Aimee Cantrell Hyatt and husband Bob; and his five precious grandchildren Lucas and Sofia Cuevas, and Olivia, Ava, and Nolan Hyatt. Randy had so many exciting adventures planned for the future and so much knowledge left to impart. He was passionate about learning new things and being engaged in life as well as sharing his God-given wisdom with his family and many others. He loved deeply. His presence in our lives is simply irreplaceable, but his spirit lives on in all of us. He was a great man!
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 3 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 7 Shannon Drive, Greenville, SC 29615.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 14, 2019, from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the church prior to the service.
