Howard Lee Cannon, 78

A celebration of life for Howard Lee Cannon, 78, of Wasola, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur, Texas. He died July 1 in Decatur surrounded by his family.

Howard was born on May 5, 1945, in St. Louis, the fourth child born to Noel William Cannon and Lola Leona Richardson Cannon. The family moved to Rockford, Illinois, where Howard grew up and raised his family.

Howard married Alma Patricia Rose on Sept. 7, 1963. They had known each other from church since they were both about 9 years old, and they were high school sweethearts. The couple were married for 59 years. They had two daughters Noelle Cannon of Gainesville and Andrea Cannon Gish of Kalama, Washington. 

Howard and his family lived in Rockford, Illinois, then moved to various places including Puxico, Missouri, Rayne, Louisiana, Decatur, Texas, Renfrew, Pennsylvania and LaCenter, Washington. In retirement, he lived in Wasola. 

Howard was self-employed as a machinist for many years in Illinois, was a business owner in Missouri and then worked with graphite in Louisiana, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Washington. In Missouri, he retired as a realtor. 

He enjoyed spending time with his wife, family and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, going to car shows, working on his antique cars, going to barn/estate sales, teaching his great-grandsons to fish and loved cooking.

Howard was a beloved husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, brother and friend to many. He is and will be truly missed and loved by all his family and friends.

Howard is survived by his daughters: Noelle Cannon and her fiancé Benjamin Hutchison of Gainesville and Andrea Cannon Gish with her husband Jason Gish and their family of Kalama, Washington; four grandchildren: Heather Cannon and her fiancé Joel Binford of Gassville, Arkansas, Cameron Cannon of Kalama, Washington, Sabrina Gish Mansur and her husband Kyle Mansur of Kalama, Washington, and Tabitha Gish of Kalama, Washington; four great-grandchildren: Kolton and Hunter Cannon (Heather Cannon’s sons of Gassville, Arkansas) and Emma and Katie Mansur (Sabrina Gish Mansur’s daughters of Kalama, Washington); his oldest brother, Charles Cannon of Ada, Oklahoma; oldest sister, Lavon Moran of Cleburne, Texas, middle sister, Margaret Jordan of Sunset, Texas and younger brother Kenneth Cannon of Decatur, Texas; and many nieces, nephews with their families and many friends.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Patricia Rose Cannon; his son Eric Lee Cannon; his parents, Noel and Lola Cannon; his youngest brother, Glen Cannon; his great-grandson, Brighton Eric Gish; and his in-laws Lehman and Alma Rose.