Mr. James Howard Cantrell, age 83, of McMinnville, TN passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at McArthur Manor in Manchester. He was born on June 07, 1942 to parents Venus Howard Cantrell and Georgia Alberta Parsley Cantrell. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and played football in both high school and college. He wore many hats in his lifetime; most of them being while he served proudly in the U.S. Army. He was a devoted Army Ranger and an inspiration to those he instructed in ROTC.

He is survived by his daughters Shara (Joey) Topper of McMinnville and Dana (Anton) Varshavchik of McMinnville, and grandchildren Taylor Topper and Landon (Cantrell) Martin. He is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Frances Kay Cantrell and daughter Tara Kay Cantrell.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in the McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Tim Hitchcock will officiate. Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Military grave rites will be bestowed by American Legion Post 173 and V.F.W. Post 5064. The Cantrell Family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and again Wednesday from 11:00 A.M. until service time at the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warriors in Mr. Cantrell's memory.

Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com

McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 931-473-6606.