John L. Cantrell

John L. Cantrell, 86, of Troutville, formerly of Roanoke, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2011. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy, both in the Atlantic Theatre and Normandy. He retired from Cantrell Construction Company and Electrical Contractor. A member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association, he raised Tennessee Walkers. He was the owner of Cantrell's Horse Farm, which held the first Bluegrass Festival with Bill Monroe in 1965. Mr. Cantrell was a life long member of the Church of Christ. Surviving are his wife, Lois M. Cantrell; daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Wayne Craft; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Sandy Cantrell; grandchildren, Timothy D. Craft and wife, Wendy, Melanie K. Schmisek and husband, Paul, and Matthew E. Cantrell; great grandchildren, Willow Brook Schmisek, Sean Craft and Olivia Craft; two brothers, Kelly Cantrell and Paul Cantrell and wife, Idella; sister, Judy C. Cook and husband, Harold; sister-in-law, Gladys Cantrell; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at Oakey's North Chapel. Ken Goodmiller and Michael Carter will officiate. Interment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, with military honors by the U.S. Navy. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2011, at Oakey's North Chapel.