Rev. Gary Wayne Cantrell

1952 - 2022

The Rev. Gary Wayne Cantrell, age 70 of Inverness, FL passed away on April 13, 2022 in Citrus Memorial Hospital. Pastor Cantrell was born in Seneca, SC on March 26, 1952 to James T. and Norma (White) Cantrell and moved to Citrus County in 2005 from Clearwater. He was a minister of the gospel and currently was affiliated with the New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, FL.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Carolyn (McKnight) Cantrell of Inverness; 2 children: Sherri Gillespie and her husband Chris of Easley, SC; Traci Schall and husband Jason of Largo, FL; his mother, Norma Cantrell of Inverness, FL; and 7 grandchildren: Byron and Nikolas Gale; Sierra and Kale Schall; Grace, Abigail and Sam Gillespie.

Pastor Cantrell graduated from Carson Newman University and was ordained into the ministry. He pastored churches in Tennessee and South Carolina. He worked on his master's degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1984, Pastor Cantrell joined the staff at Tamassee DAR School and for the next 16 years held various positions from houseparent to Director of Development. He also worked for Anderson Youth Association in fund development. He served on staff at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clearwater and finished his career in ministry at New Covenant United Methodist Church, where he had a large group of beloved members in several small groups and Bible studies.

Pastor Cantrell loved the mountains and enjoyed time away basking in God's beauty and loving special time with his cherished family. He was an avid collector of baseball cards, sports memorabilia, comic books, vinyl albums, marbles, Santa figurines, and Department 56 Christmas villages. He never missed an opportunity to challenge anyone on baseball or classic rock and roll trivia or the opportunity to laugh and joke with family and friends. His passion was teaching Bible and theology. Once Pastor Cantrell formed an opinion on any subject, he defended that decision passionately.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 11:00 A.M., from the New Covenant United Methodist Church, 3470 Woodridge Drive, The Villages, FL 32162. Family and friends are invited to attend. A visitation was held at the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home of Inverness on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to: Tamassee DAR School, PO Box 8, Tamassee, SC 29686.