In Memory of

Lester

Cannon

Jr.

Obituary for Lester Cannon Jr.

Lester (Sonny) Cannon passed away peacefully at Saint Joseph's Hospital on December 27, 2021, in Stockton, Ca. He was 89 years old.

Lester was born in Gould, Arkansas, on January 20, 1932, to Lester Cannon Sr. and Shirley Rash-Watts.

Lester was married to Leatrice Maxine Nichols, the love of his life, on February 17, 1958. They had two children, Patrick and Paula. Their loving bond endured for over 63 years.

Lester enlisted in the United States Army in April 1948. He went to Ft. Knox, Kentucky, for basic training and completed his follow-up training at Ft. Irwin, California. In 1950 while fighting in the Korean War, during a routine patrol, a grenade hit Lester. The shrapnel from the grenade caused a massive wound to his forehead, but he continued fighting and earned the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Bronze Star Medals for his bravery and courage.

Lester separated from the Army in 1955 and enlisted in the United States Air Force as a civil engineer in the same year. During his service in the Air Force, Lester was stationed at RAF Greenham Common AB, UK, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, McChord AFB, Washington, Andersen AFB Guam, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, and Benhoa AFB, Vietnam, where he received his second heroic Bronze Star Medal. In 1955 Lester returned to the United States and retired at Travis AFB, California, in 1970, as a Staff Sergeant.

After 21 years of service, he retired from the U.S. Air Force and joined the California State Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer. He moved up the ranks, finally retiring as the Correctional Lieutenant Watch Commander at Deuel Vocational Institution, Tracy, Ca. After retiring from the Department of Corrections, Lester worked as a volunteer sheriff for the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

His favorite hobbies included sailing and traveling. He owned a sailboat for 20 years and enjoyed sailing on the San Joaquin Delta River. He traveled to Hawaii annually for many years, with The Big Island being his favorite. He traveled to 47 different states in his lifetime and took vacations to Yellowstone National Park, Alaska, and Great Britain, well into his 80's. Lester never let his age stop him from doing anything, including staying up to date with the latest technology. He loved computers, chess, and online banking.

Lester is survived by his two children, Patrick Cannon and Paula Camp (Reginald Sr.), three grandchildren, Reginald Jr. (Angela), Reynard (Caitlin), Aaron, and four great-grandchildren, Aaden, Xyla, Zoey, and Ezra.

A private military burial service will be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California, on January 20th at 12:30. The family would like to express our thanks for the excellent care and kindness from the team of doctors, nurses, and other support medical staff during Lester's care.