Brigadier General George C. Cannon Jr.

George Cannon Obituary

Brigadier General George C. Cannon, Jr., 80, passed away on May 14, 2009, in Tucson, Arizona. He was a loving father and husband and was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Ann. He is survived by their children, Sunny Evans (David) of Flagstaff; Curt Cannon (Sue) of Tempe; Susie Cannon of Mesa; Jeannette Cannon of Tucson; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Sarah, Katie, and David and brother, Gardner of Houston, TX. General Cannon was born in Hope, Arkansas and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from Phoenix Union High School. He began a distinguished military career upon graduation from West Point in 1950, whereupon he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Upon completion of pilot training, he flew 100 combat missions in the F-80 over North Korea. He continued as a tactical fighter pilot, jet instructor pilot, test pilot and flight commander, and earned an M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. High points in his career included his role as Air Defense Officer in Athens, Greece, working in conjunction with NATO and training three Greek F-5 fighter squadrons. In 1968 following the North Korean capture of the U.S. Navy ship "Pueblo," he was the senior advisor to the Republic of Korea's 1st Fighter Wing at Kwangju Air Base, Korea. In later years, he was Commander of the 23rd Air Division in Duluth, Minnesota. His last assignment prior to retirement in 1978 was Deputy Commander of the 22nd North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) Region, North Bay, Ontario, Canada. General Cannon was a command pilot, having flown more than 25 types of military aircraft. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. In his retirement years, he was involved in various business ventures and was a docent at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. His family loved him and he will be greatly missed. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2009 Serenity Chapel, Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, Phoenix.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on May 19, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for George Cannon

8 Entries

Pat Williams

May 28, 2009

I supervise the Ronald McDonald Family Room program at UMC in Tucson where George volunteered, so I knew him in a much different context than many did. He was a delightful, warm, witty person and I very much regretted it when he left our program. I had the pleasure of seeing him with his daughter at a restaurant some time later; this chance meeting again reminded me of what a wonderful human being he was. My deepest condolences to George's family and friends.

May 21, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Bill E. Cox

May 19, 2009

Hi folks, I didn't know you, but I sure new George. As a retired TSgt of the USAF, I had a really hard time calling a General by his first name, but George insited on it. He was a great help in getting me to fit in at the "Pima Air and Space Museum". I always felt like he thought of me as a true friend and part of the family out there. I will miss him greatly.

Bill E. Cox
TSgt. USAF (Ret)

George in Korea--1952

May 19, 2009

Estella Salgado

May 19, 2009

Dear Cannon Family, I am sorry to hear about your loss...I met George when he volunteerd at the Ronald McDonald House located at UMC. He WAS the most kindest and wonderful person one could ever meet. He was very modest about his career as a Brigadier General...To him it was all in a days work. I truly believe if there were more people like him..well, this world would be a much better place... as he brought happiness to all who knew him. George, as we lovingly called him, has shed his pilot's wings for his angel's wings. May God bless his family. Regards,

Archie Wood

May 19, 2009

I am writing to express my condolences to George's family. I am one of George's West Point classmates (and D-1 company mate). I also served with George in Korean War at Suwon Air Base (K-13) in the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron, albeit as an armament officer rather than a pilot. I always watched for George's plane, Sweet Anne, to return from missions to the North. George was a fine Air Force officer and dear friend. He will be greatly missed.

Archie L. Wood
Col. USAF (Ret.)

Patricia Herrera

May 19, 2009

Jeanette,
I am so sorry to hear the passing of your beloved daddy. He was a great man and you are a devoted daughter. Take comfort that he has begun his journey to paradise and will soon be surrounded by God's Glory.

Marj Steffen (Brown)

May 19, 2009

Sunny, Curt, Susie and Jeannette, I am sorry for the loss of your dad. I remember he and my mom going to be with Bill when he was dying to help Marilyn. I remember your dad sitting at our dining room table on 23rd. Ave trying to explain to me how planes fly. I remember his warm smile. I remember how much he loved your mom. I remember how much he loved his children and their families. He was a wonderful man in so many ways. May the memories you have of him comfort you in the coming days.

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