Jim "Shorty" Cantrell

Jim Edward “Shorty” Cantrell, 96, of Pampa, passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Pampa.

Services will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Rev. Byron Williamson, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 PM.

Jim was born September 25, 1927 in McAlester, Oklahoma to E.S. and Grace Cantrell. He attended a country school outside of Wewoka, Oklahoma from first grade until eighth grade and graduated from Wewoka High School in 1946. After graduating, he attended East Central State in Ada, Oklahoma for two years, moving to Pampa in 1948. On June 1, 1949, he married the love of his life, Joyce Lee Carder, in Holdenville, Oklahoma. They celebrated 70 years together before she passed away on July 5, 2019. 

Jim “Shorty” began his career with Celanese in 1952 as an operator and worked as a shift supervisor for 34 years before retiring in 1987. He raised and raced homing pigeons and was a certified judge with the Texas Racing Pigeon Club for 37 years. Jim enjoyed volunteering his time at Pampa Optimist Club cooking and serving others. He was a Life Member of the club. He also volunteered at Meals on Wheels for 17 years. Jim had a love for golf. He was a member of the Senior Golf Association and played every chance he could. Jim had 5 holes in one accredited to him. 

Jim loved the Lord. As a young boy, he attended First Baptist Church in Sasakwa, Oklahoma and joined First Baptist Church in Pampa in 1949. He loved being around people, and he never met a stranger. Jim was great with names and was easy to talk to. His sense of humor would make anyone laugh. Jim loved life, and he lived it to the fullest, always staying busy. 

For the past two years, he has been a resident at Meredith Court. He enjoyed all the residents and became the “resident ambassador” to show the new residents around. Jim loved to play dominoes and bingo and participate in all the other activities provided. 

The family would like to thank all the staff, especially Heather, at Meredith Court, Brenda Condo, and Interim Hospice for all the love and care they showed Jim. 

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Gloria Pitts and Marta Marie Cantrell.

Survivors include a son, Randall Cantrell, of Spring; a daughter, LeeAnn Ammons and husband Dale of Pampa; two granddaughters, Leslee Diffendaffer and husband Rocky of Canyon and Lindsey Mickley and husband Kyle of Weatherford, Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren. Finlee and Ezra Diffendaffer, Kenna and Karsten Mickley; sister, Dana Epperly of Mount Vernon; cousin, Leo Davis of Monte Vista, Colorado; seven nieces and one nephew.

Memorials can be sent to First Baptist Church, 203 N. West Street, Pampa, Texas 79065.