When Leroy Cantrell was born on February 26, 1920, in Fort Worth, Texas, his father, Frank, was 22 and his mother, Effie, was 20. He had one sister. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Private in the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. He entered service in Texas on September 8, 1940. He died on August 27, 1944 during the invasion of southern France. He is now buried at Cope Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas, USA.