Kirk Bradley Cantrell

Kirk Bradley Cantrell, age 71 of Calhoun, passed away on September 11, 2023, at his home. Kirk was born September 11, 1952, to the late Paul and Belle Cantrell of Fannin County, Georgia. He was raised by the late Eph and Effie Arthur Early of Epworth, Georgia. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, Fred and Dorothy WIlliams of Calhoun, his brothers Daniel and Travis Cantrell, and his sister-in-law, Karen Cantrell.

Kirk is survived by his wife of 41 years, Linda Williams Cantrell, his daughter Nakisha and Tim Kuykendall, his son, Daniel Cantrell, and his grandchildren, Emilee Cantrell and Dustin Holt. He is also survived by his brothers, Marvin Cantrell, Clay and Pam Cantrell, and Ray Cantrell, and his sisters Carolyn and Al Massey, Paulette Allen, Margaret Bolen, and Katie and Andy Yon, along with several nieces and nephews.

Kirk was a member of Plainview Baptist Church in Adairsville, Georgia. He served as a paratrooper for the 101st Air Borne in the United States Army from 1972-1974.

Kirk was a surrogate father and grandfather all of Nakisha, Daniel, and Emilee's friends as well as all the kids at church. He had the ability to make people laugh, even when things were bad, a trait he has passed on to Nakisha, Daniel, and Emilee. He loved being Santa Clause and watching kids and adults faces light up when Santa walked into the room. As a bus driver, he would dress up as Santa on the last day of school before the Christmas break so that Santa could take the kids to and from school that day and had a small gift for each student when they got off his bus.

He was a fan of Kansas City sports teams because they shared the same initials (KC), but watch whichever teams were playing and usually rooted for the underdogs. He got a kick out of calling or texting Nakisha to ask how "her Vols" were doing while watching the game, knowing exactly how badly they were doing. He enjoyed being outside, working in his garden, fishing, spending time with his family. He also enjoyed imparting life lessons on Tim and Dustin and telling the two of them how to deal with Nakisha and Emilee.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 14th from 5 - 8 PM at Thomas Funeral Home. The funeral will be Saturday, September 16th at Plainview Baptist Church. The body will lie in state from 10am to 11am. The funeral will begin at 11am, with Rev. Greg Rawlins and Rev. Mark Harris officiating. Burial will follow at the Plainview Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers include: Jeremy Williams, Cory Williams, Randy Williams, Dustin Holt, Gavin Shaw, and Isaac Shaw. Honorary pallbearers include Timothy Kuykendall, Marvin Cantrell, Clay Cantrell, Ray Cantrell, and Andy Yon.

Thomas Funeral Home is proud to serve the Cantrell family and extends condolences to all who were touched by the life of Kirk Cantrell.