Raymond Gene Cantrell

Services for Raymond (Ray) Gene Cantrell, 80, of Jacksonville, AL will be conducted by Pastor Mark Cooper on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 3:00 pm at Gray Brown- Service Mortuary at 1329 Wilmer Ave. Anniston, AL with visitation 2 hours prior. Burial will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Friday May 12, 2023 at 12:30 pm CST.

Ray was born February 11,1943, in Lafayette, GA to Emmett Robert and Jewell Robertson Cantrell. Ray died at home May 6,2023 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 18 years, Linda Gail Cantrell and sons James/Trooper (Grace) Cantrell, Piedmont, AL; Ray Ryan (Janey) Cantrell, Grovetown, GA; daughter Yancy Cantrell, Piedmont, AL; grandson Brent (Cara) Cantrell; granddaughters Magan (Matt) Glover, Piedmont, AL; Kathleen Cantrell, Grovetown, GA; great grandsons Nick Glover and Brantley Cantrell and great granddaughter Jaycee Glover, all of Piedmont, AL. He is also survived by sisters Sarah (Bobbie) Self, Plano, TX; Theresa (T.W.) Davis, Dalton, GA; Charlotte (Dalmus) Morrison, Rocky Face, GA; Phillip (Joyce) Cantrell, Lafayette, GA and many nieces and nephews. Ray is predeceased by his parents and first wife Betty Richerson Cantrell; grandparents Marvin L. (Sara Mae) Robertson, Sanderson, TX and Hoke Strickland (Nancy Ruff) Cantrell, Villanow, GA.

Raymond was a 1960 graduate of Lafayette High School and attended Georgia Tech University. He enlisted as a private in the US Army at Lafayette, GA August 11,1961. From 1961-1964 he was assigned to the 7th Artillery, 24th Infantry Div, Germany. In 1965 he was assigned to the 31st Infantry and 1st Aviation, Fort Rucker, AL. in 1966 he began Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox, KY, transferred to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD and graduated as a 2d Lieutenant Ordinance Officer. In 1967 he completed helicopter training as a 1st Lieutenant at Fort Walters, TX and Fort Rucker, AL and completed Aircraft Maintenance School at Fort Eustis, VA. In 1968 he became Captain, Helicopter (67292) Pilot, 1st Infantry Div, Zion, Vietnam. In 1969 he was assigned to the 2d Aircraft Maintenance Brigade, Hunter Field, GA. Also in 1969 he was Executive Officer Co D, 2d Battalion Aircraft Maintenance Brigade and Executive Officer S-3. In 1970 he was Test Pilot and Program Branch Quality Assurance. In 1971 he was a Helicopter Pilot, 11th Combat Aviation, 223 Combat Assault Battalion, DaNang, Vietnam. He was discharged April 28,1973. From 1973 to 1980 he worked in the construction business in Dalton, GA. He reenlisted in the US Army August 27, 1980 as an E-5, in Chattanooga, TN as a Senior Aircraft Repairman, 3397th Aircraft Maintenance with duty at Marietta, GA. From 1982 to April 1995 he achieved the ranks of E-6, E-7, Quality Control and Aircraft Maintenance NCO at Cropwell, AL and E-8 1SGT while assigned to 3d Transportation Brigade, Bill Nichols Reserve Center, Anniston, AL. He was a member of the Army Pistol Team 5 years and the Army Rifle Team 3 years. Among the 40 awards he received were the Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with 8 Bronze Stars; the Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars. He retired from the Army as a Captain February 11, 2003 with over 33 years service including two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He was proud to serve his country in the US Army and particularly proud to serve as a member of the Big Red 1.

From 1985-1999 he served as the Weapons Chief under contract at the US Army Military and Police Centers, Fort McClellan, Al. During this period he was responsible for maintenance and accountability of thousands of weapons issued to soldiers and he never lost accountability of a single one. His responsibilities also included clearing cannon jams at the ranges and periodic travel to Reserve Centers and other locations throughout the southeast to inspect weapons and ensure maintenance and accountability. From 1999-2004 he served as a bail bondsman and transported prisoners across the US. From 2004- July 31, 2009 he was the Small Arms Weapons Supervisor at the Anniston Army Depot training and sharing his knowledge of firearms and safety with his personnel. It was of utmost importance to him to ensure every weapon would fire accurately and the soldier would be ready for combat. During his employment at Anniston Army Depot he never missed his deadline commitments.

Ray was a very interesting man and entertained family and friends with his poems and experiences. He was an avid hunter and fisherman most of his life and enjoyed shooting trap and skeet throughout the southeast. He particularly enjoyed his hunting trips out west and also taught many men and women how to shoot various weapons including fast draw. He and Gail married May 1, 2005 in Oahu, Hawaii. They enjoyed traveling to Europe and Mexico as well as out west and other places of interest within the US, taking their pets whenever possible. Ray was a Christian of the Baptist faith and attended Victory Baptist Church, Piedmont, Al.

Any contributions in memory of Ray are suggested to be directed to a cancer fund; lung fund; military organization such as the Army Emergency Relief fund; military retirement home; service dog or animal rescue/welfare organization.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.graybrownservice.com for the Cantrell family.