Carlton L. Cantrell educator and mining geologist, entered paradise on Monday morning, September 7, 2026 while at home in Gulston following a six year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

  Carlton was born June 26, 1939 in Newberry, FL to the late Joseph H. Cantrell, Sr. and Ruby Mae Hightower. After serving four years in the United States air Force he worked in the appliance repair and heating and cooling trades in Chicago, IL. Upon obtaining his Masters Degree in Geology from EKU he taught at Tennessee Technological University and completed his PhD course work at the University of South Carolina. He worked as a consulting geologist for several energy companies based in Denver, CO exploring for coal and oil in Colorado, Wyoming, and Alaska. After coming to Harlan County he taught at SECC and worked as a consulting geologist for Arch Minerals.

  Besides his parents he is proceeded in death by his loving wife Rosemary Miller Cantrell; A stillborn son, Carlton Cantrell Jr., Grandson Clark Andrew Cantrell, Sister Frances Fusselle and brothers Joseph H. Cantrell, Jr., and Floyd E. Cantrell; and son in law Robb Farmer.

  He is survived by his sons Kenneth, Kevin, and Kirk Cantrell, daughter Kathy Cantrell Farmer, granddaughter Kira Marie Cantrell; brother Thomas A. Cantrell, and six nieces and two nephews. Carlton will be laid to rest beside his wife Rosemary in Christus Gardens.

Pallbearers will be his three sons Kenneth, Kevin, and Kirk Cantrell along with family and friends.

Graveside services will be at 2:30 pm on Saturday September 13 at Resthaven Cemetery in Keith, KY.

Please feel free to leave a condolence or memory at www.aljfh.com

Carlton L. Cantrell and his family are in the care of the Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home.