Carey Thomas Cantrelle's Obituary
Carey Thomas Cantrelle passed away on Monday, December 16, 2019 in Houston, TX. He was born on November 2, 1948 in Houma, LA to Thomas J. Cantrelle and Mollie Hatch Cantrelle.
Carey was the beloved husband of Jennifer McWilliams Cantrelle for 49 years. He was the loving father of Cord Cantrelle, Cam Cantrelle, and the late Katie Cantrelle Lindheim and the proud grandfather of Andrus Mac Cantrelle, Camden Payne Cantrelle, Cooper McCord Cantrelle, and Logan James Lindheim. He is survived by one brother, Chris W. Cantrelle and also a plethora of cousins in Houma.
Carey received his Political Science degree from L.S.U., graduating in the Spring of 1970. After graduation Carey immediately went into training and served in the United States Army with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was an intelligence officer and served domestically during the Vietnam War era. Between basic training at Fort Benning, GA and specialized training at Fort Holabird, MD, Carey returned to Louisiana and married Jennifer. While in the service, the newlyweds lived first in Baltimore, then Roanoke, VA, and finally Richmond, VA. After the service they settled in New Orleans and Carey began working for International City Bank. Shortly thereafter he began a long career with J Ray McDermott. Carey loved adventure and was always excited about trying new things and going to new places. In 1978, while working for McDermott, Carey returned home from work one day to surprise Jennifer and said he had put his name in the hat for a transfer - and it had come through. The family moved to Cairo, Egypt and while there traveled to places that most people only dream of seeing. Returning to Louisiana by 1980, the Cantrelles resumed family life in Mandeville. After retiring from McDermott, Carey became a part owner of Hardwood Custom cabinets and later bought The Woodwright Shop in downtown Covington. He loved people and was happiest talking to everyone who walked in the door - and people loved Carey. He was funny, warm, kind, and generous. He had a special way of putting everyone immediately at ease, and one would find himself opening up to him for hours about his hopes and dreams, failures and triumphs. Other than family, Carey had two passions in life; his L.S.U. Tigers and golf. He always wanted “more strokes.” He was a man with a contagious Joie de vivre and his passing will leave a gaping hole in many hearts. We thank God for the time we had him with us and wish him Godspeed on his continuing adventure in the presence of the Lord.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Service at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 2:30 PM with visitation from 1:00 PM until service time. Interment will be held privately at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, Covington, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MD Anderson, www.mdanderson.org, St. Tammany Cancer Center, or Cure JM Foundation, www.curejm.org Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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