Michael Lynn Cantrell, age 66, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on April 27, 2022. He is preceded in death by parents, Judge & Lillian Beulah Lee Cantrell who are fondly known as Pop & Mom Cantrell; children Diana Michelle Cantrell and Lillian Mikaela Cantrell; sister Peggy Claiborne & husband Harry; brother-in-law Jerry Johnson.
Mike is survived by sister Dawn Johnson (Lenoir City) and her children – Teresa Pierce (Skipp) and Terry Johnson (Lisa); sister Gail Dunn (Carl) of Knoxville and her children – Jeff Davis (Pam), Kristie Young (Jon), and Thomas Dunn (Mary); and Peggy’s children – Deborah Dyer (Carl), Eric Claiborne (Valerie), Philip Claiborne; many beloved great-nieces and great-nephews; former wife Teri Hart; her sister Melinda Naderi (Mahmoud) and her children – Emily and Kevin; Stephanie Bowen (Kevin), Jeremy Norris; and very dear friends Scott Pick, Darrell Robinette, Eric White, and Bob Rowe.
Mike lived the Lake Life and spent much of his lifetime living, fishing, boating, water-skiing and raising cane on Loudon Lake. He especially loved bass fishing, fly fishing, and deep sea fishing. He took the time to teach nieces and nephews how to bait hooks, cast a rod, clean fish, and cook them just right during ‘summer camp on the lake’.
He worked in maintenance, keeping The Westlands in good condition, then keeping equipment operating at Kimberly Clark, and finally owning his own Landscaping/Mowing business until he retired.
Mike had a saving faith in Jesus Christ and God blessed Mike’s final years with the presence of his friend and neighbor Bob Rowe – our family extends a sincere and special thanks to Bob for his support and care for Mike over the last few years.
If you know Mike at all, you know he is fun, fierce, meticulous, and a very talented ‘jack of all trades’. Our hope is these will trigger some fun memories of you and Mike!
Mike was FUN – Mike lived life to the fullest and his irresistible ability to have fun gave you fond memories of riding motorcycles, camping, jumping off the float known as spider-island at the old lake place, fishing, water-skiing, golfing, traveling, hanging out by the campfire, or joining a Hog Fest at the lake with Mike.
Mike was FIERCE – Did you ever wonder what Mike’s opinion was on a certain topic? I think not! Did you ever wonder if Mike was not happy with something you did? I think not! He was, as they say, an open book to us all. He loved hard, played hard, and some days, he was hard to please, yet still we loved him.
Mike was METICULOUS – You know you were in awe of his amazing ability to make a place for everything and keep everything was in its place. Admit it – one day not so long ago, you were reminded that you put his wrench in the toolbox incorrectly (wrong spot? wrong orientation? not wiped off? – yes, we’ve all been there). P.S. – He still has the boxes to all of the items he bought over 20 years ago!
Mike was TALENTED – He could fix anything electrical, mechanical, plumbing, automotive, marine, carpentry, and then some. He could also bake an awesome apple pie and hold one heck of a fish fry. Everything he owned was cared for, worked right, or was repaired correctly.
In honor of Mike, a casual Memorial Service will be held at 5pm on May 14, 2022 in the Marine Room at Calhoun’s on the Lake – Lenoir City, TN. We’ll share tall tales and reminisce about fun times with Mike.
In lieu of flowers, Mike’s sincerest wish is donations towards Lilly’s Hand Memorial Scholarship via https://elc.utk.edu/contributions or mailing to:
UT Knoxville – ELC
Attn: Lilly’s Hand Scholarship
1206 White Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-1912
Published by Legacy Remembers on May 8, 2022.
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