Christopher N. Cantrell Jr., age 84 of rural Waubun, MN, died Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at North Dakota Veterans Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Christopher Cantrell Jr. was born on January 13, 1926 to Christopher and Jewell (McMurtrey) in England, Arkansas. He attended school in Arkansas, until he joined the United States Navy on October 21, 1941 at the age of 15. Chris served during WWII protecting the California coast during the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. He was honorably discharged on June 8, 1942 due to heart problems created by rheumatic fever. After his discharge from the service, Chris worked around the United States working for the railroad and steel plants. In 1952, he married Mabel Bellanger in International Falls, MN. They were blessed with one child, Chris Cantrell and then later with one grandchild, Cade Johnson. The couple remained in International Falls, where they were both employed at the Boise Cascade Steam Plant. Chris worked with the boilers as a high pressure fireman for over 30 years. After their retirement, they then made their home in Hot Springs, Arkansas and enjoyed traveling to Arizona. In 1989, they moved to South Twin Lake, located east of Waubun, to be nearer to hunting and fishing areas. He also had pilots license and greatly enjoyed flying airplanes.

Chris is survived by his wife, Mabel Cantrell of rural Waubun; a son, Chris (Kayla) Cantrell of Dilworth, MN; and a grandson, Cade Johnson of International Falls, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Christopher and Jewell Cantrell.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 2 pm at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Naytahwaush, MN. A time of remembrance will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Inurnment will be in the spring of 2011 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN.