James Lane Cannon

James Cannon, age 79, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2019 while surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley Cannon; his children, Janna DeMent, Chris Cannon and Curtis Cannon; his brothers and sister, Harvey Cannon, Glenda Olsson, Bobby Cannon, Joe Cannon, Paul Cannon and David Cannon; and a host of loving grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, and longtime friends. One of 12 children, James was born on November 30, 1939 in Louisiana and at the age of five his family moved to Little Rock, California by way of train. He loved spending time with his brothers and sisters - he was very much a family man. Although he held many jobs, he primarily worked in the advertising industry as a paper hanger. First with Valley Outdoor Advertising and then Foster & Kleiser. Not too long after starting his job at Valley Outdoor Advertising, he met Shirley. It was pretty much love at first sight and after a few arm-wrestling matches with Shirley's dad, the two married in 1960. From Palmdale to Long Beach, and then to Norco, the two became a family of five with Janna, Chris and Curtis. They were always doing something. Family trips consisted of camping, fishing and visiting places like Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. He was always involved in his kids' lives and especially loved being involved in flat track racing with his two sons. He was their mechanic through their amateur and professional novice years, bringing Shirley and Janna along for the ride. In the racing family he was known as "The Reverend" and was one of the top tuners for Ascot Raceway. James loved many things throughout his life, but he loved spending time with his family the most - even more so than driving his yellow 55 Chevy, his pride and joy and real "first love" according to Shirley. It had a 57 Corvette Motor and Packard tail lights. He also loved dancing - actually his entire family loved dancing and man, could he dance. Him and his siblings even made up one. The Cannon Slop - a must at every family event. He loved his garage and was always working on motorcycles. He was an avid NASCAR fan, enjoyed Disneyland trips (even when forced), coaching little league, liked to water ski, take naps with the dogs, playing his harmonica, that one trip to Lake Powell with the family and so much more. He was witty, charismatic, and had a great sense of humor. There was nothing he couldn't say that would make you smile or laugh until your stomach hurt. James had a love for life unlike any other. Whether he was "fine as frog feathers" or "going down the road to see a little girly-o," which actually meant he was going out for coffee, he always knew how to light up the room. And if you were lucky enough to know him, then you knew how much joy and love he brought into the lives of everyone around him. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Cleve and Viola Cannon; his brothers, Billy Cannon, Sam Cannon and Steve Cannon; and his sisters, Cheryl Hill and Margaret Russell. Visitation Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Friday 2/1, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Service Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Friday 2/1, 12:00 pm Cemetery Crestlawn Memorial Park 11500 Arlington Ave. Riverside, California 92505 (951) 689-1441 | Friday 2/1, 1:30 pm