Douglas Cantrell

Douglas Lee Cantrell, beloved husband, father, brother, son, and friend, went on to be with his Lord and Savior on April 12, 2024. Doug was born on October 21, 1969, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Duaine and Rebecca (Shores) Cantrell. He was 54 years, 5 months, and 22 days of age.

A devoted Christian, Doug's faith was a cornerstone of his life. His love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shone through his actions every day. He embodied the values of humility and honesty, setting an example for others through his kindness and compassion. Doug was always able to walk up to anyone and share his love for God. He was a very blessed and happy man who looked for the positive in any situation. His warm personality and infectious smile touched the lives of everyone around him. Doug's love for people was evident in his daily interactions as he genuinely wanted to help others and make a positive impact on their lives. Doug was extremely social and he enjoyed keeping up with his family and friends on Facebook, but he was well known for just dropping by. Doug never knew a stranger.  Doug’s biblical values and standards are what guided him to make decisions throughout his life. Everyone that knew Doug understood he could get riled up easily, but he never wanted to see anyone get hurt. He would jump to people’s aid without hesitation including a couple of times when he performed CPR to save lives. It was said of Doug, “If the Church was a hospital, Doug was the ambulance.” Doug always went to the people who were hurting not those who were already healed. 

Doug met his soulmate and best friend, Judith LeAnn Logan, in Lebanon, Missouri, in Sunday school class at the First Baptist Church. They were both new to town and fresh out of college. They started talking and Judy found out that Doug didn’t have a Bible, so Judy bought him one. She didn’t want to seem too forward so she gave it to the pastor to pass on to Doug. Doug became concerned at that point that he was given the Bible because of his position at Detroit Tool. Judy could not let him believe that so she confessed. Doug later admitted that it was at that moment that he knew he had met the woman he was going to marry. This is how Judy bought a Bible and won the love of her life. Soon they were united in marriage on July 29, 1995. His two greatest joys, his two daughters, Jenna and Desiree, were born to this union. He was a terrific father that supported his daughters in everything that they did. For his girls, it was all about softball and he practiced with them for hours. Doug may have loved softball more than his daughters did. Whether it was sports, choir or band, Doug was always there for his girls and he cherished every moment spent with family. His love for softball was evident in the way he supported anyone involved in the sport. His enthusiasm and encouragement was truly uplifting to those around him. When it came to sports football was his true passion as he and Judy went to many Super Bowl parties where Doug’s energy was through the roof. Another pastime was going bowling with his friends and taking his girls skating when they were young. This truly was some of the best father-daughter bonding times. 
 
In continuing his commitment to serve, Doug dedicated over two decades of his life as a Youth Specialist at Gentry Residential Treatment Center in Cabool, Missouri. Doug had been at Gentry since its opening, in the fall of 1998. Doug guided at-risk teens towards making better decisions and improving their lives. He found joy in supporting young individuals through counseling and mentoring. Doug's commitment to his work was unparalleled as he was known as a dependable and loyal worker. If you needed Doug, he was just a phone call away. 
 
Aside from his career, Doug was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting deer and turkey and he was great at it. He wanted to pass this love on to the next generation through his daughters as well as his neighbors’ grandkids and friends. He also loved fishing and had built a pond and used a full set of guidelines to make it the best. Then, there were also many animals that he caught to give his girls a closer look at while some animals he caught just to harass friends and family. Doug also found it funny to “share” spicy food with friends and family and watch them “fry” from the heat. Spicy food did not affect Doug the way it did others, the hotter the better. 

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Duaine Cantrell; two brothers-in-law, Jack Pollock and Robert Logan; and father-in-law, Clarence Lee Logan.
 
Doug is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Judy Cantrell of Mountain Grove; two daughters, Jenna and Desiree Cantrell, of Mountain Grove; his mother, Rebecca Ann Herrera of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, David Cantrell of Kansas City, Missouri; one sister, Lecia Pollock of Olathe, Kansas.  

Douglas Cantrell will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of love, kindness, and dedication will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched. It would be Doug’s hope that we that are left behind will be reunited with him in his heavenly home one glad reunion day.