John Yates Cantrell

JOHN YATES CANTRELL

John Yates Cantrell, 65, of Harrah passed from this life to his rewards in Heaven and a reunion with a great host of family and friends on November 22, 2022, at the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He was born to Ed and Jane (Trout) Cantrell on August 17, 1957, in Oklahoma City.

John graduated from Piedmont High School in 1975 and attended college to play baseball. He was a dedicated Service Professional to several local automobile dealerships but his true passion was race cars. He was a fanatic for dirt track racing or stock car racing, both as a participant and also supporting younger members of the family alongside his brother and best friend Jerry.

John was the voice of the Panthers in both basketball and football and his legendary call, "Here come the Panthers!" will be sorely missed by generations of Panther supporters. He always enjoyed his Route 44 Sonic Drinks while on the mic and in recent years, treats from Simple Simon Pizza. A man of many talents, he enjoyed all sports, attending OU gymnastics, being a "Dance Dad," and mowing the yard was his "happy place."

John Cantrell was a family man. He loved his wife, kids and grandkids fiercely, had a strong sense of humor and was generous, stubborn and strong willed, sometimes all at the same time. He was a Godly man, a true follower of Christ, leading the prayer during family gatherings. Later in life John truly enjoyed the role of “Family Santa”.

He organized the Youth Football League in Harrah and was a big supporter of nieces Megan and Melissa. John was the first one Megan called when she got her first coaching job. He enjoyed putting on his overalls and being a farmer and loved being a grandpa, an excellent PaPaw!

Even though John and Shelly have only been together since 2015, and married since 2018 the couple truly enjoyed living life to the fullest, the pleasure of each other’s company and the laughter they shared. The couple enjoyed a magical cruise with John’s brothers and spouses this summer. They enjoyed visiting Caye Caulker during that cruise to Belize.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jane Trout Cantrell.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shelly; dad Ed Cantrell of Harrah; sons Eric and wife Christy Cantrell of Harrah, Anthony and wife Bethany Cantrell of Harrah; daughter Shelby and husband Jeffrey Newell of Tulsa; son Seth Mattox; and daughter Jenna Mattox both of Medina, OH; brothers Jerry Cantrell and wife Kim of Harrah, Jeff Cantrell and Mardi Gray of Tulsa; Grandchildren Hunter, Hayley, Haden, Jayden, Nolan and Kyler; nieces Megan and husband Dennis Bluhm of Harrah, Melissa and husband Zach Johnson of Harrah; Emma and Dalton Myett, and nephew Nick Cantrell all of Tulsa; great-niece Maggie, great-nephew Graham; brother-in-law Pastor Jay Ramer and wife Ann Ramer of Harrah; and their sons Bailey, Davis and Drew.

The family will receive friends at the Asa Smith Funeral Service on Friday, November 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at Harrah Church, Dobbs and Reno, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 26 officiated by Randy Swift of First Baptist Church, Claremore, and Jay Ramer of Meadowood Baptist Church, Midwest City, followed by interment in Memory Lane Cemetery, Harrah.

The family invites those attending services to wear their Harrah High School Jerseys and/or T-Shirts, or favorite college attire.

Arrangements are handled by Asa Smith Funeral Service of Harrah. Condolences and tributes may be made www.asasmith.net