Roger George Cantwell

Roger George Cantwell was welcomed home by his parents on November 9, 2023, at the age of 85 due to natural causes. He was born on February 19, 1938, to Dean Pratt Cantwell and Vera Marie Roundy Cantwell in Amalga, UT, and is the second of four children; Geraldean, Vera Dorthea, and William Craig.

Roger grew up in Smithfield and attended North Cache High School. When he was 17 years young, adventure, called Roger, joined the Navy in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1958. Upon his return, he married Gwen Cottle on December 12, 1958. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple on February 18, 2011. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. To this union came four children: Trevor, Jacqueline, Stephanie, and Justin. His youth was spent working at the family lumber yard. His experience at Cantwell Lumber led him to open his own lumber yard in Perry, UT. His sons joined him in the operation of this business. Later, he owned and operated R.C.’s Horse Supply with Gwen.

Roger’s true love and passion was horse racing. He was known for having high-quality horses that won many races throughout the West. He especially loved chariot racing and involved the entire family running in the Skyline Chariot Association. His pride and joy were running two teams, with him driving one and his oldest son, Trevor, driving the other. He was well-known and respected in the horse racing world, and his knowledge was unsurpassed.

Later in life, he added team penning to his hobbies. He was often accompanied by his grandkids at these events. Roger was extremely proud of his grandkids and attended many 4-H horse shows and high school rodeos to cheer them on. Many weekends were spent in their RV following them from one end of the State of Utah to the other. He truly loved spending time on the back of a horse, whether it was a good trail ride in the mountains or gathering cattle at a T-L roping.

Roger is survived by his wife, Gwen, sister Geraldean Jones of St. George, brother Bill (Kay) of Smithfield, son Trevor (Lynda) Cantwell of Eagle, ID; daughter Jacqueline (Quinn) Nelson of Lewiston, UT; twins Stephanie (Craig) Balls of Hyde Park, UT and Justin Cantwell of Smithfield, UT. He also had 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, baby sister Dorthea, and a brother-in-law, Calvin Jones.

There will be a short viewing on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 9:30 – 11:00 am at the Smithfield 4th Ward LDS Church, and then he will be taken by horse-drawn carriage to his final resting place at the Smithfield City Cemetery with a graveside service to follow at 12:00 pm.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Sandstone Pioneer Trail Nursing Home and Bristol Hospice for their kindness and for taking care of their dad.  Please share a memory of Roger or offer condolences to the family by leaving a tribute on this page.