Leonard "Lindy" Gene Cantrell

***In honor of Lindy, a Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Shawnee Elks Lodge located at 13500 Acme Road, Shawnee, Oklahoma. Family and friends are invited to gather to share memories and celebrate his life.***

Leonard “Lindy” Gene Cantrell passed away on April 15, 2026.

Lindy was born on July 27, 1943, to Neva Jean and Leonard Cantrell of Bristow, Oklahoma. At 6 months of age Lindy’s father, Leonard, was killed in WWII and Perry Richard Vanderslice married his mom Neva Jean and raised Lindy as his own.

Lindy attended Bethel Public Schools from Kindergarten until he graduated in 1961. He attended ECU on a basketball scholarship and then went on to beauty college which started his lifelong career as a hairstylist and beauty shop owner for 42 years in Shawnee, Oklahoma. In his retirement years he owned and operated a liquor store and storage facility.

Lindy led a full life. He enjoyed fishing in Bass Tournaments, dancing at Cow Town, spending time on his houseboat “The Party Animal” at Lake Texoma, playing golf with his friends at the Elks Lodge where he was a member for 53 years, snow skiing, Sunday Suppers at his pool and eating breakfast at Boomarang Diner.

He was preceded in death by his:

Father: Leonard Gene Cantrell
Mother: Neva Jean Vanderslice
Step-Father: Perry Richard Vanderslice
Brother: Perry Michael Vanderslice
Sister: Mary Kathryn Melton

He is survived by his:

Son: Perry “Pete” Richard Cantrell
Daughter-in-law: Karla Jane Cantrell
Grandsons: Nicholas Ryan Cantrell
                    Corbin Luke Cantrell
                    Michael Van-Hunter Cantrell
Nephew: Stephen Wade Melton