James H. Cantrell

Cantrell, James H.
of Mesa, AZ. passed away on April 25, 2011 at Banner Baywood Hospital of complications related to an unexpected surgery, surrounded by family. He was born September 10, 1928 in Olustee, Oklahoma to William and Hazel Cantrell. He moved to San Diego, CA in the 1930's. His first career was managing Forest Fires in the San Luis Obispo, CA. area until starting a family in the early 1950's. He then became a Painter at Cal Poly. During this time he started inventing Spray Guns to apply paint. He was discovered and convinced to move to Riverside, CA in 1959 where he continued to invent further spray guns to apply Fiberglass then Foam insulation and roofing. In 1972 he met Roy Perkins and moved to Mesa Arizona. They began the company which continues today, Southwest Distributing. Throughout his career he traveled worldwide. He had a lifetime hobby as a Ham Radio Operator where he made many friends worldwide. He is known by his family, friends and employees as a kind, intelligent man who always had time to listen, help and educate in anyway needed. He is predeceased by his first wife Jo-Anne Cantrell in 1997 and daughter Linda Cantrell in 1989. He is survived by his brother William Cantrell and sister Jacqueline Montello of San Diego, CA., wife of 12 years Katrin Cantrell of Mesa, daughter Deborah Cantrell of Juneau, Alaska, step-son Viggo Thorisson of Iceland 4 grand-children, 2 step-grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Friday April 29th from 6 to 8:00 PM at Falconer Funeral Home, 251 W Juniper Ave. Gilbert, AZ. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday April 30, at 10:00 AM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2745 N 32nd St, Mesa, AZ with interment to follow at City of Mesa Cemetery. For additional information please visit www.falconerfuneralhome.com