Kevin Cantrell

Kevin Len Cantrell of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away in his home at the age of 71 on January 24, 2024. He was born in Neosho, Missouri, on July 15, 1952, to Lee and Ruth Cantrell.

 He graduated from high school in Neosho, attended college at Southwest Baptist University and Missouri Southern College, and then graduated from the University of Missouri Pharmacy School in Kansas City. After working at several area pharmacies, Kevin enjoyed working for many years as a Surgical Pharmacist at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park. Kevin enjoyed his profession of Pharmacy, as well as life outside the medical community. 

While his pursuit of Pharmacy and his desire of proficiency as a Surgery Pharmacist were lifelong dreams, his love of life exceeded both. He often shared that “live and let live” would be his “sonnet.” His understanding of diversity and the people around him were a major part of his life. He said of himself that he danced to a different drum, since he enjoyed the back-beat of the band and preferred the subtle message that stirs the soul. Music was supreme to him (all kinds of music except rap!) — he really loved rock, jazz, and blues. 

He was a lover of good food, especially seafood, and was quite an amazing chef (evidenced by the hundreds of recipes, spices, and culinary utensils found in his apartment after his passing). Kevin also was an amateur photographer, often wrote poetry, and had a tremendous love for his dog Kramer.

 He was preceded in death by his father, Delmer Lee Cantrell, and his mother, Ruth E. Cantrell. Kevin is survived by his sister, Glenda Terrill (Lynn), four nieces and nephews (Joel Hood [Sarah], Jamie Carmickle [Billy], Jonathan Terrill [Caraleigh], and Jessica Holcomb [Josh]), and six great-nieces and -nephews (Claire Hood, Logan Carmickle, Mariah Holcomb, Micah Holcomb, Jonathan Terrill II, and Gloria Terrill). Kevin often gave donations to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, the American Red Cross, and Wayside Waifs. If you would like to honor him, you might consider a donation to one of these organizations. In lieu of a public memorial service for Kevin, you may visit his final resting place in the mausoleum at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens (Overland Park, KS) where Kevin and his mother Ruth have been placed in a niche side by side