Vivian Cannon

Vivian Cannon passed away Oct. 10, 2016, in Lindale, Texas, after suffering a stroke two weeks earlier.

She was born May 24, 1932, in the remote ranching community of Arock, Oregon, the only child of William and Treva Bruce.

Vivian grew up on the family ranch surrounded by the many people who populated a working ranch in those days. She was always busy with her beloved horses, many cats and faithful dog, Pup. She attended all eight grades in Arock's one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Jordan Valley High School.

She was married in June 1950. Her first daughter, Deborah, was born in May 1951, and her second daughter, Candace, was born in September 1952.

In 1958, Vivian, her mother and daughters moved to Nevada, where they lived first in Carson City and then Lake Tahoe for over 20 years. Vivian attended the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in criminal justice.

In 1980, she and her mother moved to Colorado, and in 1983, she married Richard "Dick" Spencer, publisher of Western Horseman Magazine. During the six years of their marriage, Vivian and Dick traveled extensively, representing the magazine at rodeos, trail rides and art shows.

Dick Spencer died in 1989, and Vivian's mother died in 1990. Four years later, Vivian moved to Winona, Texas, where she bought a ranch and raised cattle and quarter horses. In 1998, she married Thomas S. Cannon, D.V.M., the owner of Cannon Veterinary Clinic in Lindale. After retiring in 2015, he and Vivian returned to the ranch in Winona.

Vivian was an extraordinary woman who will be remembered for her contagious laugh, strength of character, generous heart, rock-solid faith - and so much more.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; her daughters, Deborah McIntyre, Candace McMahan (Gary), and Jolene Rogers (Russell); her granddaughters, Elizabeth Hughes and Katie Butler (Cameron); her grandson, Will McMahan; her great-grandson, Colby Mulvihill; and her sister- and brother-in-law, Sally and Pete Loehrer.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at a private residence in Winona at 4 p.m. on Oct. 29. For details, please email her daughter Candace at cmcmahan@group.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Hospice of East Texas HomePlace in Tyler, 903-266-3400.