PETE CANTRELL

MARCH 28, 2018

What do you call a man whose life was a poem? A man who found his purpose at an early age and never departed from it? A man who was the ultimate entrepreneur, who loved his family and friends boundlessly, who lived to solve problems, who loved being there for others, and who was always open to God's call? And, yes, who even wrote poetry, inspiring the same in others.

Bill Grayson (Pete) Cantrell was born November 7, 1929 to parents James Graydon and Ethel Ida Cantrell. He went home to glory to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday March 30, 2018 in Dallas at the T. Boone Pickens Palliative and Hospice Care Facility. In between he attended Ada schools and ultimately fulfilled his purpose and found his passion – being an independent oilman and acting as a horse-holder for the Lord. As horse-holder (trusted assistant), he exhorted the exhorters – the preachers and ministers who spread the good news of the Gospel.

What do you call a man who considered his greatest gifts his wife of 29 years, Melissa Gayle Cantrell, his children, Mike Cantrell, Bob Cantrell, Lauren Akolkar, Julia Byrd, and Jay Austen Cantrell? A man who grew a big family because he was used to it, having been the youngest of seven siblings: Gladys, Royal, Elwanda, James, Geoffrey, and Charlie Cantrell all born before him. All have predeceased him except Geoff who was able to visit Pete the day before he went to heaven. Pete was also pre-deceased in 1988 by Frances Little Cantrell, his wife of 39 years. Together they formed many ministries and left an indelible imprint not only in Ada but throughout the world.

To say Pete was a game-changer would be minimizing his impact on anyone who knew him. He was blessed with repeated success in the oil patch in many ways and with many different companies. He served on several boards including OBU, the Baptist Foundation, and many local community groups.  He was also a loyal member of First Baptist Church Ada for over 70 years, serving many times as Chairman of Deacons, Building Committee and Pastor Search Committees bringing the best through our town.

On the way through his beloved oil patch he founded the Good Book Store, Air Ada and many other startups. Because of his love for chocolate, he invested in and rescued Kron, a New York based chocolate company, before coming home to create his own which he named Bedre'. In 2000, Bedre' was sold to the Chickasaw Nation where it continues to prosper. Through it all, his way of operating in business and in life was always to "err on the side of mercy and grace."

Pete loved flying, golf, travel, fishing, and food, all of which he pursued with passion and love. He enjoyed writing songs, self-published his own books, and was known for his love of all music from every era and genre. He was anchored by his favorite scripture, Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Pete soared. And he took many others with him.

Pete Cantrell's life will be celebrated at "High Noon" on Wednesday, April 4th at First Baptist Church of Ada, OK. (Having been known to say," you're not on time unless your early.")  Instead of flowers or donations, he asks only that those reading this just LOVE one another.