G. Paul Cantrell, of 85 Warrior Mountain Road, Tryon, N.C., passed away Thursday, May 7, 2015 White Oak Terrace, Tryon, N.C.

Paul was born at home in Milltown in Northern Tryon on November 5, 1922.  He was the son of the late William Tyra and Lessie Watson Cantrell.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941, after basic training at Fort Jackson and field training in Tennessee, Missouri, and Arizona, was sent with his unit to the European Theater where they landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy. He was wounded by a mortar blast that left shrapnel in his leg, a souvenir he would carry for the rest of his life. After time in a M.A.S.H. hospital in England, he rejoined his unit, seeing action in the Battle for Huertgen Forest and the Rhineland Campaign serving until the surrender. Among the nine medals he received for his service were the Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre.

After his discharge he returned to Tryon and worked as a delivery van driver at Cowan’s Super Market but in the summer of 1946 he returned to service in the U.S. Air Force serving at various stations as a radio/radar operator.

After his release in 1949, he returned once again to Tryon and married Miss Ruth Butler. He began working as a sheet metal fabricator, an occupation that he would continue into retirement.  He traveled to where the work was including Detroit, Mich., Harlan, Ky. and El Paso, Texas, before returning to Tryon. Back at home he worked for DuPont in Brevard, Buensod-Stacy in Spartanburg, fabricated sheet metal for the Greenville Hospital, and even after retirement had his own sheet metal business.

He loved events, particularly events that involved friends, family, fishing and deep fried Southern cooking. He loved the ocean, the beach, any body of water and accepted any excuse to go there.

In 2006, he suffered a medical setback that confined him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But he maintained his faith and sense of humor, enjoying many road trips and reunions with his family.

He loved his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and talked to him daily. After his disability, one of his great enjoyments was watching and singing along with the Gaither family of singers.  He spoke each one’s name and history as if he were an old friend. Up until the last he loved gospel music and enjoyed singing along with his family.

He was a member of Tryon First Baptist Church, a former member of the Polk County Rescue Squad, and a member of the Jeff L. Nelson Masonic Lodge #605.

Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Ruth Butler Cantrell of Tryon, N.C., one son, Glenn Cantrell (Donna) of Sandy Plains, N.C.; two daughters, Linda Cantrell Leake (Michael) and Julie Cantrell both of Tryon, N.C. Also surviving are one granddaughter, two grandsons, four great grandsons, and two great granddaughters.

Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9 in Polk Memorial Gardens with Dr. Jeff Harris and Rev. Lester Lambert officiating, with military rites by the Polk Memorial Burial Squad.

An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.