Larry Goodson Cannon was born Nov. 3, 1933, in Ponca City, Okla., to Lawrence S. and Jennie (Goodson) Cannon.
He grew up in Ponca City attending Ponca City Public Schools and graduated in 1952. He furthered his education by attending Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and graduated with honors from the animal science department with a bachelor of science degree in 1956.
Following graduation he entered the United States Air Force, where he served as a pilot of the C-124 Globe Master Aircraft while stationed in San Antonio, Texas.
He married Shari Slocum on Sept. 14, 1956, in Oklahoma City. In February 1958, they returned to Kay County, where he assumed management of the Goodson Ranch with his grandmother, Dora Goodson. He farmed and ranched for 54 years.
He was an active member of First Christian Church in Blackwell and served as the Lord’s servant for over 40 years as an elder and chairman of the board.
Larry was the founder and president of the Blackwell Livestock Association and Kay County Cattlemen’s Association. He also held membership in the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Beef Association, serving as president. He was on the board of directors of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association earning NBCA’s Environmental Stewardship Award in 2002. Larry was a recipient of Oklahoma’s NRCS Governor’s Award and served on the Oklahoma Governor’s Agriculture Advisory Board. Other honors include graduate of distinction from Oklahoma State University in 1990, and Outstanding Oklahoma Vo-Tech Board Member in 1997, as he served the Pioneer Area Vo-Tech as a board member for 28 years, also serving as president. Larry was a member of the board of directors for First National Bank in Blackwell and Stillwater National Bank.
He is survived by his wife, Shari Cannon of Blackwell; two daughters, Catherine Swindell and husband James of Angleton, Texas, and Kay Warner and husband John of Charlotte, N.C.; two sons, Charles Cannon and wife Kelli of Enid, Okla., and Tom Cannon and wife Laurie of Blackwell; a brother, Joe Berry Cannon and wife Beverly of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren, Steven Swindell and wife Fallon of College Station, Texas, Michael Swindell and wife Ann of Wheaton, Ill., Christine Michaelson and husband Manly of Coppell, Texas, Sam Cannon of Stillwater, Sarah Cannon of Stillwater, Molly Cannon of Enid, Mitchell, Lucas and Abigail Warner, all of Charlotte, N.C., and Jacob Goodson, Reagan, Rachel and Reese Cannon, all of Blackwell; and great-grandchildren, John and Mark Swindell of College Station, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Ola and Dora Goodson; and a sister, Virginia Cronin.
Entombment is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, at the Greenlawn Abbey Mausoleum in Blackwell Cemetery, with a memorial service set for 1:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, Blackwell, with the Rev. Jeff Koch officiating.
A memorial has been established in his honor with the First Christian Church in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
The family will be at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. today to greet family and friends.
Online condolences can be made at www.robertsand sonfh.com.
(Submitted by family)