Claude William Cantrell

BORN NOVEMEBER 29, 1929; DIED AUGUST 14, 2020

Claude was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 29, 1929. His parents were Hettie Ethel Hood and Charlie Bond Cantrell who together had eight children. His siblings, who preceded him in death, were Ruth C. Mackey, Louise Gore, Edna Ward, Mary Sue Friel, Grace Baker, John Cantrell and Lorene Cantrell, also, stepsons Hugh Norman and Gary Ulrich.

Claude was the seventh child and was described by his sister, Mary Sue as "an energetic little boy, fast, and somewhat hyper." His father died when he was only eight years old, leaving his mother to raise several children. Ruth, his eldest sister, was the only breadwinner and even bought a house where the family lived together. Claude and his siblings were always grateful to Ruth for her sacrifices.

At a very young age, he became the "soda jerk" at the drug store near his home in the heart of Little 5 Points. Holding many other jobs during his school years, he graduated Tech High School and then, a few years later, enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 during the Korean War. Following his military service and working a few years, Claude attended and graduated Atlanta Law School, Class of 1957. Afterwards, he worked many years for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Newspaper, as Distribution Manager. Because most of Claude's family members settled in Florida, many of his vacations were spent in the Central Florida area, including his favorite, Daytona Beach.

In 1973, Claude married Mildred Norman who had two sons, Mack and Hugh, and one daughter, Beckie. After Mildred's death in 1995, Claude remained in Atlanta for seven years.

On one his Orlando trips to visit his niece, Edna Messick, he was introduced to her good friend, Liz Ulrich. After several months, Claude and Liz were married at the Azalea Park Baptist Church on November 29, 2002. In their time together, they enjoyed living and traveling between Titusville, Dayton, Tennessee and in the past several years, Orlando. Until recent sicknesses, they were active members of the Conway First Baptist Church.

Claude is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Dorman Cantrell and her children, Carol Ulrich Hempfield (Mike), Nancy Jo Ulrich Mannix (Mike), and James Ulrich. He is also survived by Mack Norman (Lizz), Beckie Norman Kilpatrick (Henry and their son, Jason) and nephew, Mark Cantrell (Carol and their son, Jack), niece, Carol Gaskins (David) and nephew, Randy Green (Pat), and many other nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Just this past November, in honor of his 90th birthday, Liz hosted a dinner party—a true celebration of Claude's life—for many of his closest friends and relatives. As he requested, his final tribute will be a military funeral and burial which will be held at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery on Thursday, August 27 at 10:45 a.m.

Claude described himself as an "active person—always on the go," and until his recent illness, this was always the case. Several years before her death, his sister Mary Sue wrote about his life and said: "You have done well, Claude. Mama would be proud of you and so are we."

To share a memory of Claude or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Conway First Baptist Church, 4000 South Conway Road, Orlando, FL 32812.