Frank Alvin Cantrall

Frank Alvin Cantrall was born in Hastings, Nebraska, on November 17, 1923 to Frank S. and Vinnie (Shattuck) Cantrall. He passed away in Yuma, Colorado on August 15, 2015 at the age of 91.

In 1925 a tornado devastated his parents' homestead south of Wray which led to the family losing the farm and causing many hardships which continued through the Great Depression. After graduating from Wray High School, Frank served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 during World War II. While in the Army, he married Opal Peters on January 15, 1945 at Camp Maxey, near Paris, Texas.
After being discharged in July of 1946, he and Opal started farming near Vernon, where they lived for 62 years in the house they built.

Throughout his life, Frank applied his interest in the latest technology and equipment to his occupations and numerous hobbies. In addition to farming, he was involved in building and repairing various buildings in the area and houses for his family. He was an innovative and multitalented man, who was quite adept at carpentry, electrical work, electronics and the repurposing of old machinery for new uses. To help get the family through the drought years of the 50's he learned to repair radios and televisions. He operated Frank's TV Service and was instrumental in getting the television translator installed in the Wray area.

Farming and ranching became his full time job when he became involved in the early development of groundwater irrigation in the area, drilling an irrigation well in 1963 for raising corn and alfalfa. In the early 1970s, Frank took advantage of an opportunity to purchase land at the headwaters of the Black Wolf Creek, where he had many fond childhood memories of picnics and family outings.
Beginning in the 1980s, Frank began to retire as his family members took over more of the farming. He and Opal then began to travel more as they visited all the states, enjoyed many cruises, and travelled abroad.

The most important thing in Frank's life was his family, but he was also a man of many interests and hobbies. He always had a camera, videorecorder, or camcorder in hand to record family and community events. He spent many hours playing pool and cards at the Vet's Club in Wray to pass the time as he farmed less and less. He was also an avid bowler for 40+ years and played in many local tournaments and leagues. At age 70, Franks’ technology yearning led him to computers and he spent many hours gathering and recording genealogy information about his family history.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, an infant son, Jimmy, and two granddaughters, Katy and Kelly McWhirter.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Opal; daughter Diane (Norm) Hays; son Ben (Diana); daughter Denice (Craig) McWhirter ; grandchildren Shan (Sally) Hays; Misty (Greg) Fritz; Lori (Tim) Perry; Scott (Micki) Cantrall and Matt McWhirter; and great-grandchildren Logan Cantrall, Kailey and Stacia Fritz and Alexandra, Joslyn and Spencer Hays.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 20, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Steve Wynkoop officiating. Interment will be held in the Glendale Cemetery in Vernon, Colorado. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, Colorado 80758. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.