Richard Robert Cantrell, Sr., “Hehaka Wambdi” was born in Poplar, May 9, 1958, to Otto and Nida Cantrell. He was called home by the Creator to be with his parents and many other loved ones.
Richard attended schools in Poplar, Wolf Point, Rocky Boy, and Box Elder. He attended Fort Peck Community College. He also attended Iron Workers in Tulsa, OK., and was a journeyman welder, as well as a carpenter, and was recently certified as a master oil rigger driller this year.
On February 14, 2003 he married the love of his life, Cheryl Shields, having been together for 22 years prior. This union brought forth Michele Cantrell Standing Rock (Sundance) and Jonathan Cantrell (Ashley). He also had Nina Prichard (Bill) and Richard Cantrell, Jr. from a previous relationship.
Richard was known for his kind heart, generous nature, and humble ways. He was loved by many and of all ages. He was a loving Dad to those who didn’t have that fatherly figure in their lives. He was a master in all he did, but most of all he was a wonderful and very loving grandpa to his many grandchildren that knew him.
Richard was a jack-of-all-trades, and loved to fix things. Most of all he loved being around his family. He will be greatly missed by those who were fortunate enough to have had him touch their lives.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Cantrell, daughters; Michele Standing Rock, (Sundance) and Nina Pritchard, (Bill), son’s; Jonathan Cantrell, (Ashley), and Richard Cantrell, Jr., Brothers; Otto, Leonard, David, Arthur, Virgil, and Steve, sisters; Ida, Sylvia, Vivian, Emma, and Rose, grandchildren; Jeremy, who he was raising, Sheena, Sundance, Cole, Mercadeez, Jordan, Aiden, Jesslynn, Richard, Anjuli, Laken and Julius.
He is preceded in death by his Dad, Otto Cantrell Sr., his Mom, Nida Kennedy Cantrell, Brothers, Wayne “Jiggs” Cantrell, Llewellyn “Rusty” Cantrell, Milty Cantrell, Franky Birdsbill, Courtney Cantrell, Merle Lucas, and Tommy Cantrell, also, sister, Emily Cantrell and several others too numerous to mention.
A wake will be held Monday, September 2, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 3, at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar, MT. Interment will follow in the Chicken Hill Cemetery, west of Wolf Point.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family using the form below.