Dickson Yeager Cannon

Loving husband, father and grandfather Dick Cannon's love of life was evident in the love that he showed his family and friends. His generosity and patient spirit were a gift that he shared with many. 

Dickson Yeager Cannon was born in Shawnee, OK to Vivian Payne Cannon and Elizabeth Erwin Yeager Cannon. He resided in OK until the age of four, in 1940, his family moved to Mt. Vernon, Illinois where he attended Mt. Vernon Township High School and met the love of his life, Sondra Jean Carpenter. 

In 1954, Dick attended Davidson College in North Carolina where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He graduated in June of 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree with special attainment in Chemistry. Dick continued his education at the University of Tennessee and was awarded a Master of Science degree in Organic Chemistry in December of 1959. 

Dick married his high school sweetheart, Sondra Carpenter, when they eloped on June 9, 1956, in St. Charles, MO. 

Following attaining his degree he moved his growing family to Louisville, KY where he continued his work as a research chemist at several industrial paint companies. 

In 1982, Dick brought his family to Dallas, TX to accept a position as Vice President and Technical Director of Jones Blair Paint Company. 

During his career as a Chemist, Dick published an article in The Journal of Organic Chemistry Vol 25, No 9 in 1960, Ortho Substitution of Benzyl-Type Grignard Reagents by Cyanogen and Thiocyanogen. He was also recognized for attaining a patent for the treatment of formaldehyde laden wood panels to reduce excess formaldehyde which was a cancer-causing substance in the paneling used in manufactured homes. 

Dick and Sandy retired in 2000 where they built a beautiful retirement home in Whitney TX. They spent twenty-one years together here celebrating with their four children, their spouses and five grandchildren. Dick and Sandy celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last June 2021. 

They were members of White Bluff Chapel in Whitney, TX and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, TX. 

Dick Cannon completed his journey to be with his Lord and Savior with his loved ones beside him on March 21, 2022. 

Dick was preceded in death by His parents Vivian Payne Cannon and Elizabeth Erwin Yeager Cannon; sisters Betty Jane Buie and Mary Vivian Butts, and beloved grandson- Ethan Joseph Barr (2001-2005). 

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Sondra Jean Cannon of Whitney, TX. His children, Dickson Yeager Cannon, Jr. and his wife Laura Johnston Cannon of Fernandina Beach, FL; John Robinson Cannon and his wife, April Tolbert Cannon of Rock Hill, SC; Douglas Carpenter Cannon and his wife, Lisa White Cannon of Whitney, TX and their children Braxton Yeager Cannon of Austin, TX and Alexis Parker Cannon of Lewistown, PA; and his daughter, Jennifer Jeanne Cannon Barr and her husband, Anthony C Barr of Fort Worth, TX and their children Seth Douglas Barr of Fort Worth, TX and Grace Elizabeth Barr of North Richland Hills, TX. 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, March 26, 2022, at White Bluff Chapel in Whitney.

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