Daniel Allen (Buddy) Cantrell passed away Thursday, March 24, 2016, at his home while under Hospice care. Graveside service will be Monday, March 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM, at Weaver Cemetery, FM 1970 South, Timpson, Texas, 75975, with Bro. Stan Britton officiating.

He is preceded in death by his wife Janice Charlene Wilde Cantrell and their son, Samuel Allen Cantrell.  He leaves his daughter Cynthia Cantrell Lewing and her husband, Ronald Lewing, of Tiki Island, TX.; his daughter, Paula Cantrell Harness and her husband, Matt Harness of Mesquite, TX.; grandson, Jake Lewing and wife, Katie Lewing of Seattle, WA.; granddaughters, Megan Harness Cuzen and husband, Ben Cuzen, of Dallas, TX., Sarah Lewing of Houston, TX., and Brittany Harness Smith and husband, Hunter Smith of Newport, AR.; and many close friends.  

Born in Houston, the son of Samuel Tanksley Cantrell and Cleva Allene Tyer Cantrell, he spent most of his younger years in Timpson, TX. near his mothers' birthplace.  

In 1952, Buddy entered service into the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean conflict, and was stationed overseas.  He was released from Active Military Service in 1954, after a serious illness, and sent home with little hope of survival.  His mother nursed him to health, and he was honorably discharged in 1960, earning the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  

He entered Lamar University on a GI Bill Scholarship, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959.  He met his wife, Janice when she was attending Sam Houston State University, nearby.  They were married in 1961, and soon settled in Beaumont.  He worked several years inspecting the radio operations of ships in Beaumont and Port Arthur, and was certified as a Professional Engineer in 1970 before taking a job with the Federal Communications Commission in Houston, where he retired after more than 30 years of service.  Following his retirement, he worked for Texas Association of Broadcasters, traveling across the state with Janice at the wheel inspecting various television and radio stations; she was his personal assistant, taking dictation to type his inspection reports.  He met several notable personalities, and enjoyed his travels with his wife.  They eventually built a home in Matagorda, TX., on the Colorado river, where they enjoyed fishing, shrimping, and crabbing.  Both were avid fishermen, and Buddy often designed and built his own crab traps and fishing gear.  He carried a notepad and mechanical pencil everywhere so that he could sketch out his designs.  

Buddy was a Master Mason with the Masonic Lodge in Timpson, for more than 50 years. He served as a Shriner for a number of years and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bay City, TX. 

Online condolences and tributes can be sent at www.taylorfh.net