Roger Cannon
Roger Cannon

Obituary of Roger Stuart Cannon

Col Roger Stuart Cannon, USAF, Ret, died on October 10, 2022 after a brief but fierce battle with pancreatic cancer. Roger was born in Deport, Texas on 12/09/1943 to Tommie George Bell and Ssg. Ezra Lee Cannon. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and master’s degree from the University of Southern California. He then went on to graduate from the prestigious Air War College, enrolled in both the senior-level professional military education (PME) program and the Master of Strategic Studies degree program. “Little Roger” and his four siblings spent countless summers with his grandparents in Deport, Texas at their home and their restaurant, Mamma’s Café. He enjoyed training and racing carrier pigeons, delivering newspapers and playing practical jokes on family and friends. Roger briefly volunteered for the Dallas Emergency Corp. where he would later meet and fall in love with the Dallas Fire Department’s annual beauty pageant “Miss Flame” winner, Patricia Elaine Pruitt. They were married on May 29, 1966, the same day Roger graduated from college and was commissioned as an officer into the United States Air Force. The Air Force was the perfect vehicle for Roger to both serve his country and show his lovely bride and family the world. They were stationed in Colorado, Louisiana, twice in the Republic of Korea, Italy, twice in Nebraska, Germany, Alabama, to his last assignment in Tampa, Florida. The Colonel was a runner, enjoyed playing bridge, participating in investment clubs and mentoring others. He enjoyed supporting the Space Program and any opportunity to go shooting. An avid reader, Roger passed down to his family a love for language, reading and duty to others and country. Upon retirement, he eventually settled into his best role yet as “everyone’s Grandad”. He enjoyed amusing tots with magic tricks, trips to the books store and library, overindulging his favorite canines with liver treats and handing out $2 bills. Adding to his impressive military resume, Roger was the perfect “tickle monster”, donut delivery man, math tutor and “assistant flower girl”. But perhaps favorite of all was offering his little loved ones “left hand or the right hand” treasures. The “Silver Eagle” could typically be found volunteering at West Shore Jr/Sr High School where he was awarded both the Jefferson Award for Public Service and Volunteer of the Year. If not at West Shore, he would be helping out or enjoying “the best burger in Brevard” at his beloved Burger Inn. To all of his family and friends, “Glad you got to see me!” He was preceded in death by his father, brother, David and then mother, all from Dallas, Texas, He is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Charles “Carlo” (Tonja), and daughter Cheryl (James). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristen “Krissy” Frontz (Jeremy), Megan Pearson (Ariel Aybar), Joseph "Joe" Cannon, Jack Maris and Ava “Nova” Cannon, as well as his great-grandchildren, Alexia “Lexi” and Carter Frontz. A brief celebration of Roger’s life will take place at Beckman Williamson Funeral Home in Viera, Florida on Thursday, October 20, from 0930am until 1pm. Funeral services with full military honors will be held on Thursday, October 20th at 2:30pm at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida. All are invited to attend. Attendees are encouraged to wear red, white and/or blue in lieu of black as a celebration of Roger’s military legacy. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.
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Visitation

2022-10-20 09:30:00 - 13:30:00 Beckman Williamson Funeral Home 5400 Village Drive Viera FL 32955

Graveside Service

2022-10-20 14:30:00 Cape Canaveral National Cemetery 5525 US-1 Mims (Scotsmoor) FL 32754
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