Curtis John Cantrell Jr.

Curtis John Cantrell, Jr., 62, of Temple, TX passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness Monday, July 27th, 2009 at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Curtis was a beloved husband of Mary Ellen Taylor Cantrell and devoted father to Kathryn Ann Cantrell of Boston, MA and Melissa Ann Brothers and husband Glenn of Saint Charles, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents Miriam and Curtis John Cantrell, Sr. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Cantrell and husband Eric Schade of Metairie, LA, brother Larry Bishop and wife Linda of Pineville, LA, nephews Doug Gremillion, of Metairie, LA, Allen Bishop of Metairie, LA, Richard Bishop of Pineville, LA and grandchildren Madison Grace and William Garrett Brothers Born in Pineville, LA on May 3rd, 1947, he lived the past 20 years in Temple, TX, where he was employed at the Veterans Administrative Medical Center as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. A graduate of Louisiana College (BS) and Northwestern State University (MS) in Louisiana, he also was employed at Pinecrest Developmental Center and Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, LA. Curtis spent most of his life loving the outdoors and brought this enthusiasm to the many people and clients that he worked with throughout his career. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to noon on Saturday, August 8th, 2009, at Scanio Harper Funeral Home. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Curtis wished that everyone consider the gift of life through organ donation and to support Camp Dreamcatcher, a camp for children with cancer and blood disorders treated at the Children's Hospital at Scott and White. Memorials may be sent to Camp Dreamcatcher care of Scott and White Development Office, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX, 76508.