Teddy
Teddy
Teddy
Wedding day
Teddy
Teddy
Hanna Cantrell
8w
🩷
I know you’re up there watching all the accomplishments these babies are making.. 🩷💔 we miss you.
In loving memory of
Teddy Lee Cantrell
February 29, 1964 – September 24, 2024
Lived 60 years
Cantrell Cemetery · Salyersville
Life story
Teddy Lee Cantrell, affectionately known as Tarhead, went to be with the Lord surrounded by his
Family at his home on September 24, 2024, after a courageous 2½-year battle with cancer. Ted was born on February 29th 1964, to Donald Lee and Edna Carrol. Teddy was truly special from the moment he entered the world as a leap day baby. He was one of seven siblings and embraced his role in a large, loving family.
His childhood was marked by playful mischief, like hickory-nut wars with his sisters and putting cuckleburrs in the hair of the other kids on the school bus, which got him in trouble a time or two.
Ted was a natural tinkerer from a young age, he loved building bicycles from junk parts. Teddy could take 5 or 6 junk bicycles and make one good one that he would ride until the wheels fell off, as he would say.
At 14, Teddy faced his first profound loss when his brother, Deano, died in a car accident, solidifying his role as the family man we know today. His first car, a green Pacer dubbed “the bubble,” by his sisters became a cherished family ride that they piled in and drove around Mine Fork just for fun.
After leaving high school during his senior year to work for his father drilling water wells, Teddy moved to Lexington, where he had two sons, Scotty Dean and Eddie Brian, from a previous marriage. Teddy loved and raised his sons by himself until he found the love of his life, Lori Bussey, whom he met through his sister Jackie on June 6th 1991, it was love at first sight. They married on July 20, 1991 and Teddy was welcomed as a son by Paul and Linda Bussey.
Teddy and Lori welcomed their daughter, Hanna G., six years later.
A dedicated worker, Teddy began as a water truck driver and rose to become the top dozer operator for Bizzack where he was well known and respected by many.
Throughout life, teddy faced more losses, including his sister Brenda in 2001 to cancer, and both parents, Donald Lee in 2011 and Edna Carrol in 2019. Yet, Teddy remained a pillar of strength for his family.
He cherished the births of his grandchildren from his son Scotty and Daughter Hanna. Easton Scott, Aubree Grace, Millie Grace, and Hadlee Kate. They were his most prized possessions, besides Lori.
Teddy was a devoted member of Bradley Freewill Baptist Church, he served as an active firefighter for the county, a member of the united steelworks local 14581, a Mason, a Shriner, and his most honored position as Chaplain in his motorcycle club, the Cryptic Knights Widows Sons where he and Lori loved to ride. In 2023, one of Teddys greatest wishes came to life when his son-in-law, Job, followed in his footsteps and became a Mason. Teddy was so proud.
Teddy continued to work until he fell ill on the job and was rushed to the ER, only to find out he had to begin his almost 3 year long fight battling cancer until the Lord called him home to rest.
Throughout the years Teddy has been called multiple things, but his favorite by fair has been Pappy by his grandchildren.
Teddy and Lori shared 33 blessed years together full of love and laughter and he will be profoundly missed by all who knew him, especially his loving family. Teddy loved his wife, children, and grandchildren more than anything in this world. He would have fought a running sawmill for any of his family. Teddy truly was 10 feet tall and bullet proof, but when it came down to it, he was a big teddy bear. If Teddy could see us all here today crying, he would tell us to “quit that crying and dry it up”
Photos
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Photo book
Teddy’s life, in a printed book
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Videos
Lifetime
The world Teddy knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
1964
Born February 29
1974
Teddy was 10 when Richard Nixon resigned the presidency
1976
Teddy was 12 when America celebrated its Bicentennial
1982
Teddy was 18 when Michael Jackson released "Thriller"
1984
Had Scotty Dean
1985
Had Eddie Brian
1989
Teddy was 25 when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series
1991
Married Lori Bussey
1994
Teddy was 30 when "Friends" premiered
1997
Had Hanna Grace
1997
Teddy was 33 when "Titanic" opened in theaters
2005
Teddy was 41 when the first video was posted to YouTube
2011
First Grandchild Easton Scott
2014
Second Grandchild Aubree Grace
2019
Third Grandchild Hadlee Kate
2023
Fourth Grandchild Millie Grace
2024
Passed away September 24, age 60
Tributes and memories
15 memories shared
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Lori Cantrell
69w
it’s almost the 4th of July.
8 years ago on this day you had loaded up our brand new camper and hauled it to Twin Knobs to camp for the July 4th weekend. I sure wish you where here to pull it down there again. 🥹❤️ We’ll always have our great camping memories, it’s just a shame we didn’t get to make more. I love you and miss you very much, babe. Keep looking out for us up there. ❤️❤️❤️
Lori Cantrell
72w
Easton Graduated 8th grade!
Hi Babe ❤️ It’s Friday, June 6th 2025. It’s been a rough one at work this week. The big news is that we went to South Floyd Elementary last night to watch Easton graduate 8th grade! can you believe it? He’s gonna be in High School in the fall and Aubree in the 6th grade. Hadlee will be in kindergarten and of course little Millie is bringing up the rear. 🤣 She’s doing so good, you’d be so happy to see her if you were here. As always, we’re missing you so much and we love you beyond what words could say ❤️ Here is a picture of you and Easton and Aubree when they were little on the 4-wheeler, one of their favorite things you did with them. ❤️
Jackie Howard
74w
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Jackie Howard
74w
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Jackie Howard
74w
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Jackie Howard
74w
Memorial Day
What a beautiful and blessed day it was! Your Brothers did you proud So much love and laughter, so many memories and so many tears. We all miss you so much Brother. How I wish you were still here and we wouldn’t have to relive the memories because we would be making new ones. How I cherish every memory of you. I can’t wait to see you in Heaven and join in on all the wonderful times you are having. I love you Brother and I miss you more than words can say.
Lori Cantrell
74w
The Widows Sons Came to Visit Today
You would have been so proud! Your buddies came to pay tribute to you today and brought flowers. They reminisced and told stories and we laughed and cried. They are like all the rest of us, they miss you so much. ❤️
Lori Cantrell
74w
It’s Memorial Day
I never thought I’d be making you flowers this year, but here we are. As I was making them, a butterfly came down and I sited awhile. I know it was you. ❤️ I love and miss you more than words can explain. ❤️❤️
Hanna Cantrell
97w
😔
We sure miss you dad.. but you’re always showing up when we least expect it. 💜 Hadlee also misses you, but she understand you’re in a much better place. I found the dog house and and Hadlee put together and named yesterday while cleaning their room. We love you dad.
Lori Cantrell
105w
Hey Babe,
It’s been a long work week and I miss you so much. There’s a full moon tonight, oh how I wish we were building a fire and roasting weenies this evening with you 😢
Linda Radmore
106w
Miss you
I miss you, big Brother! 💔
Lori Cantrell
107w
Hello Love
Thank you for making my flower bed. I sure wish we could go back to this day 😢
Lori Cantrell
108w
Hey Babe! ❤️
I miss you more and more everyday. 💔 Don’t worry about any of us, though, we’ll be ok and we’ll always try to make you proud. I love you until I take my last breath and you come and meet me. I can’t wait for that day! Love, Lori
Hanna Cantrell
108w
My daddy ❤️
We miss you, dad! Especially your babies. But we’re alright down here. ❤️
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