Robert Thomas Cantrell, age 81 of Brevard, died peacefully in his sleep at Transylvania Regional Hospital on Christmas morning, December 25, 2011 after a brief illness. Born October 6, 1930 in Fayetteville, NC he was the son of the late Clarence Thomas Cantrell and Maude Cox Cantrell. He was preceded in death by his brother, Clarence Thomas Cantrell, Jr. and an infant son, Robert Wayne Cantrell. Bob, as he was known by most, was a member of the NC National Guard for four years and continued to serve his country during the Korean War in the US Army. After returning from his military service, he moved to Brevard in 1955 and graduated from Brevard College. That is where he met and married the love of his life and wife of 55 years. He later received a BA degree from Western Carolina University. His working career was spent as an accountant at E.I. DuPont retiring with 31 years of service. He was liked by many as he greeted them by their employee number as he passed out pay checks during the years he was Paymaster. He was loved by many for his gentle, pleasant, kind spirit. After his retirement from DuPont, he was a co-owner of Travel Connections. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Brevard. In earlier years he was a youth Sunday school teacher and basketball coach at Glady Branch Baptist Church. In the spirit of volunteerism and helping others, over the years he has served in a number of capacities of various organizations. Instrumental in founding Carolina Mountains Credit Union, he served as the first president. Over the years he held a variety of positions in the Pisgah Forest Lions Club. He was an avid square dancer and gardener. He also enjoyed golf, travel, and most of all spending time with his family. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Hamilton Cantrell, two daughters, Janice Adkins and Lisa Smith (Kevan), two granddaughters, Jessica Pangle McCall (Nathan) and Erin Smith, two great-granddaughters, Abigail and Isabel McCall all of Brevard, a sister, Nina C. Sherman of Fayetteville, and a number of nieces and nephews, extended family Debby, Kenneth, Damon, Kim and Olivia Landreth, and countless friends. He will be sorely missed by all who loved him. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, December 29th at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Brevard, conducted by Rev. Danny Hedgepeth and Dr. Andy Silman. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. A private interment will be held at Little River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, Little River Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 90 Shadow Mtn. Lane, Hendersonville, NC 28739, or a charity of your choice. Online condolence may be left at www.moody-connollyfuneralhome.com. Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.