Ralph "Jimbo' Cantrell passed away in Fort Myers, FL on January 14, 2016 after a prolonged illness, at the age of 96. Ralph was born in Caryville, TN and as a young lad moved to West Carrollton, Ohio where he lived until retiring in 1978 from General Motors. Ralph had worked at Delco-Moraine. After retiring, he moved to Fort Myers, FL (Buckingham) where a World War II Air Base was located. Ralph lived in Buckingham for 37 years and made numerous friends here.
Ralph is preceded in death by a daughter, Onalee Stiver; his parents, Thomas and Bessie Cantrell; three sisters and one brother. Ralph is survived by one daughter, Shirley Hoerner of West Carrollton, six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Ralph is preceded in death by the mother of his children, Martha McQueen Cantrell; former wife, Marie Wells Cantrell. Also, preceded in death by special nephews: M.C. Collins, Dana and Daryl Manning. Surviving Ralph are special nephews: Don Barrett, Doug and Don Manning and sister, Helen Barrett of Lehigh Acres, FL. Also surviving Ralph is longtime friend, Irene Tipsword.
Ralph served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army in World War II for three and one half years with the 12th Armored Division, Hdq. Company, 23rd Tank Battalion, in both the United States and Germany. His regiment won stars for battles in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe.
An entrepreneur early on, Ralph opened the first car wash in West Carrollton, owned and operated Stine's Grocery Store for three years, owned Herb's Pool Hall and Finke-Jeske Car Lot in West Carrollton for 20 years, part owner of the Stop and Eat Restaurant/Bar for 10 years and converted West Carrollton's original firehouse into a home dwelling which now sets at 102 1/2 Home Avenue. A special avocation of Ralph was that for 60 years he bought, sold and restored antiques including a 1949 Chevrolet pick-up truck. Ralph was quite an eclectic collector. There is an interesting story behind every item Ralph collected. A great story teller with a "Tom Sawyeresque" personality, "Jimbo" will be greatly missed by his many friends and relatives on all whom he has left an indelible impression.
Two of Jimbo's very special, very special friends and neighbors have stood alongside Jim's former wife and caretaker, Bonnie Cantrell, in giving up days and nights in assuring that Jimbo has Gotten the best of care that could be found during his illness. Such kindness and generosity is rare indeed.
Funeral arrangements are being made with Hodges-Farley Funeral Home in Lehigh Acres, FL; Swart-Wolfe Funeral Home in West Carrollton, OH and Miami Valley Memorial Gardens in Centerville, Ohio.
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