My Dad died last night

[Mutt the Hoople]

Lt. Col Charles E. "Charlie" Cannon, USMC (Retired) died last night at the age of 82. My dad fought the good fight and is now resting in His Savior's arms.
My dad was a man's man and a Marine's Marine. Read the book "The Great Santini" and you have a small picture of what it was like growing up in his house. He never messed with Computers, but if he ever wanted to visit this board, his username would've been some form of The Great Santini, and his his icon would've been Bull Meecham.
He was born on a farm in Iowa, and he early on he decided he despised farming. My grandpa wanted he and his brother to live next to each other and share farm equipment...Dad wanted nothing of it. Instead, inspired by Grandma, my mom, and his English teacher Miss Lemkuhl, he decided to go to college. Dad and Grandpa had it out one night, and so at the age of 16, my dad was estranged from his Grandfather. At Grandpa's funeral in 1982, Dad said that this was the first time in 30 years that being in the same room as him didn't end in a fight.
Being the first in his family to go to College, he went off to Parsons College, a small midwestern school in Fairfield, Iowa (Sidenote: Parsons closed in 1974, was bought by the Maharishi Yogi, and is now Maharishi University). He graduated with a Foreign Languages degree and expected to become a schoolteacher.....
However, the Marines stepped in. One night, he and a couple of buddies were up drinking and they all decided to enlist in the Marines. However, they saw where Officers made $100 more a month so instead they went down to recruiting office and signed up for OCS. THAT'S how dad became a Marine Officer....and a good one.
Dad wasn't completely like Bull Meecham. One thing I remember is that he NEVER was one of those obnoxious parents who were always lobbying coaches to let their son play more. He'd just sit in the stands and watch us play whatever sport was in season at the time. I do remember hitting a game-tying double once, and seeing him grinning from ear to ear when I was standing on 2nd base.
In his prime, and even a little after, Dad could do 20 one-armed pushups, 10 one-armed chinups, and I could never beat him arm-wrestling.
After retiring from the Marines, he went to The Mississippi State University (Meridian Branch) and graduated with both a Masters and Specialist degrees in Academic Administration.
Like good Marines, he lived his life burning the candle at both ends. He could outdrink and out-party pretty much anybody, until he broke his hip 4 years ago. Since then, it's been steady downhill. He developed Parkinson's and his movement was further hindered.
My brother, sister, and I visited him in Naples last weekend. By Sunday, he slipped into a coma, he died late last night.
Dad, rest in peace. Say hello to Jim for me.

[SapperDawg]

Semper Fi, and Godspeed.

[msbulldog]

So sorry for your loss, my dad is 82, Air Force. Prayers for you and yours.

[dawgoneyall]

Condolences

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Great story. Prayers for you and your family.

I can relate about never messing with computers. I'm in my mid 40's, but my dad has never been on a computer. He has no clue what an email is or what the Internet is. None. Couldn't tell you what a website is.

Retired Marines are usually good men. Sounds like your dad was a fine one.

[starkvegasdawg]

Sorry for your loss. Lost mine in 2003 and sometimes still can't believe he is gone. Prayers for you and your family.

[Spiderman]

Lt. Col Charles E. "Charlie" Cannon, USMC (Retired) died last night at the age of 82. My dad fought the good fight and is now resting in His Savior's arms.
My dad was a man's man and a Marine's Marine. Read the book "The Great Santini" and you have a small picture of what it was like growing up in his house. He never messed with Computers, but if he ever wanted to visit this board, his username would've been some form of The Great Santini, and his his icon would've been Bull Meecham.
He was born on a farm in Iowa, and he early on he decided he despised farming. My grandpa wanted he and his brother to live next to each other and share farm equipment...Dad wanted nothing of it. Instead, inspired by Grandma, my mom, and his English teacher Miss Lemkuhl, he decided to go to college. Dad and Grandpa had it out one night, and so at the age of 16, my dad was estranged from his Grandfather. At Grandpa's funeral in 1982, Dad said that this was the first time in 30 years that being in the same room as him didn't end in a fight.
Being the first in his family to go to College, he went off to Parsons College, a small midwestern school in Fairfield, Iowa (Sidenote: Parsons closed in 1974, was bought by the Maharishi Yogi, and is now Maharishi University). He graduated with a Foreign Languages degree and expected to become a schoolteacher.....
However, the Marines stepped in. One night, he and a couple of buddies were up drinking and they all decided to enlist in the Marines. However, they saw where Officers made $100 more a month so instead they went down to recruiting office and signed up for OCS. THAT'S how dad became a Marine Officer....and a good one.
Dad wasn't completely like Bull Meecham. One thing I remember is that he NEVER was one of those obnoxious parents who were always lobbying coaches to let their son play more. He'd just sit in the stands and watch us play whatever sport was in season at the time. I do remember hitting a game-tying double once, and seeing him grinning from ear to ear when I was standing on 2nd base.
In his prime, and even a little after, Dad could do 20 one-armed pushups, 10 one-armed chinups, and I could never beat him arm-wrestling.
After retiring from the Marines, he went to The Mississippi State University (Meridian Branch) and graduated with both a Masters and Specialist degrees in Academic Administration.
Like good Marines, he lived his life burning the candle at both ends. He could outdrink and out-party pretty much anybody, until he broke his hip 4 years ago. Since then, it's been steady downhill. He developed Parkinson's and his movement was further hindered.
My brother, sister, and I visited him in Naples last weekend. By Sunday, he slipped into a coma, he died late last night.
Dad, rest in peace. Say hello to Jim for me.

Sorry, Mutt

[SaintDawg]

So sorry, boss.

[Bucky Dog]

My dad hits 84 in a few days and he has been going downhill physically and mentally the last 6-12 months. It's really hard watching this, even though I know it's the cycle of life, but he has always done everything by himself and for my mom. He still cuts his own grass and drives but not sure for how much longer. I know my dad would rather be in heaven than get to the point where someone had to do everything for him, and he feels he is a burden to others.

With that said Mutt, glad to see he led a good long life, and apparently taught you to be who you are.

[confucius say]

Awesome story. Praying for your family.

[FISHDAWG]

condolences Mutt ... we are all thankful for your fathers service to this country

[Martianlander]

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was not only your father but a good friend. Prayers for your family.

[Saltydog]

nt

[CadaverDawg]

Sorry for your loss, Mutt.

[DownwardDawg]

Sorry for the loss Mutt. He sounds like a great man. I wish I had met him. Great write up.

[shannondawg]

Sorry for your loss.

[BrunswickDawg]

Godspeed Mutt.

[GreenheadDawg]

Sorry for your loss, man. Try to remember the good times.

[BB30]

Sorry for your loss, and thankful for your father's service.

[Todd4State]

Hang in there Mutt!

[coastdoglover]

Sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family

[Sienfield]

Sorry for your loss Mutt. Sounds like he had a good run.

[MadDawg]

Sorry for your loss Mutt. He sounded like one helluva man.

[TheRef]

Sorry for your loss, Mutt. You never say that a Marine is retired, they just aren't active duty anymore. His defense of our country will never be taken for granted, and here's to him watching the games from the best skybox around.

[TaleofTwoDogs]

"Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."....Gen Douglas MacArthur

Sorry for your lost.

[PassInterference]

Sorry, Mutt.

[fader2103]

Sorry for your and your family's lost.

[Beaver]

Glad you got to see him one last time before he passed. Sounds like he ended his life with a better relationship with you than he had with his father. I'm sure he'd appreciate this tribute to him.

[mcain31]

My condolences to Mutt and family. He'll find plenty of good company in the Fiddler's Green section of Heaven with our brothers.
"Fideli Certa Merces"~ For the faithful, there is certain reward.

[MaroonDawg4Life]

Prayers for you and your family Mutt. God bless you.

[maroonwhitedawg3ddd]

Sorry for your loss!

[Thick]

Sounds like a great man Mutt. Thoughts and prayers my friend!

[M.Fillmore]

I'm sure your Dad would appreciate the tribute. My condolences.

[blacklistedbully]

Thank you for sharing that..I did read it through with great interest, and came away with a feeling of respect and admiration for your dad. I hope you take some comfort in knowing more people care than you may have thought.

Your dad reminds me a lot of mine, who I also lost many years ago. Old school, man's man. Wouldn't say, "I love you", but you knew damned well he loved you more than life itself, and would sacrifice anything for you. Guys like that wanted you to know you were loved, but didn't want you to turn into a, "*****". ;)

[RocketDawg]

Sorry to hear that, Mutt. Hang in there.

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

Prayers for you bud. I hate to hear this.

[Hot Rock]

My Dad is 92 and a former Armored Infantry WWII vet of three tours. He was in Africa, Italy, southern France across the Alps in tank battler after tank battle into Germany and across the Rhine to liberate Dachau and a nearby allied prison camp. It's hard to watch great men grow old. Thanks for reminding me to appreciate every moment I have with him left.

Sorry for you loss, but it sounds like you had a great father. You were blessed and so was I.

Thanks again

[TUSK]

Lt. Col Charles E. "Charlie" Cannon, USMC (Retired) died last night at the age of 82. My dad fought the good fight and is now resting in His Savior's arms.
My dad was a man's man and a Marine's Marine. Read the book "The Great Santini" and you have a small picture of what it was like growing up in his house. He never messed with Computers, but if he ever wanted to visit this board, his username would've been some form of The Great Santini, and his his icon would've been Bull Meecham.
He was born on a farm in Iowa, and he early on he decided he despised farming. My grandpa wanted he and his brother to live next to each other and share farm equipment...Dad wanted nothing of it. Instead, inspired by Grandma, my mom, and his English teacher Miss Lemkuhl, he decided to go to college. Dad and Grandpa had it out one night, and so at the age of 16, my dad was estranged from his Grandfather. At Grandpa's funeral in 1982, Dad said that this was the first time in 30 years that being in the same room as him didn't end in a fight.
Being the first in his family to go to College, he went off to Parsons College, a small midwestern school in Fairfield, Iowa (Sidenote: Parsons closed in 1974, was bought by the Maharishi Yogi, and is now Maharishi University). He graduated with a Foreign Languages degree and expected to become a schoolteacher.....
However, the Marines stepped in. One night, he and a couple of buddies were up drinking and they all decided to enlist in the Marines. However, they saw where Officers made $100 more a month so instead they went down to recruiting office and signed up for OCS. THAT'S how dad became a Marine Officer....and a good one.
Dad wasn't completely like Bull Meecham. One thing I remember is that he NEVER was one of those obnoxious parents who were always lobbying coaches to let their son play more. He'd just sit in the stands and watch us play whatever sport was in season at the time. I do remember hitting a game-tying double once, and seeing him grinning from ear to ear when I was standing on 2nd base.
In his prime, and even a little after, Dad could do 20 one-armed pushups, 10 one-armed chinups, and I could never beat him arm-wrestling.
After retiring from the Marines, he went to The Mississippi State University (Meridian Branch) and graduated with both a Masters and Specialist degrees in Academic Administration.
Like good Marines, he lived his life burning the candle at both ends. He could outdrink and out-party pretty much anybody, until he broke his hip 4 years ago. Since then, it's been steady downhill. He developed Parkinson's and his movement was further hindered.
My brother, sister, and I visited him in Naples last weekend. By Sunday, he slipped into a coma, he died late last night.
Dad, rest in peace. Say hello to Jim for me.

Semper Fi.

[Commercecomet24]

My condolences and prayers for you and your family! Appreciate your dads service! My dad was a marine also and died 5 years ago and sounds like my upbringing was much like yours. Peace and comfort to you and your family!

[Leroy Jenkins]

Semper Fidelis, Devil Dog.

[preachermatt83]

Prayers!!

[Bothrops]

There were some tough hombres in that generation. Prayers sent.

[Dawgcentral]

Sorry Mutt. He was one of the great ones I see.

[TrapGame]

My condolences Mutt. Sorry to hear that.

[State82]

Sounds like a great man, Mutt. My condolences to you and your family.

[Dawgowar]

Condolences and prayers.

[Goldendawg]

Mutt, sorry for your loss. May God Bless you and yours through this and always. Lost my Dad in 1995. He was one of the first members of the Bulldog Club. Carried me to my first Egg Bowl in about 64? and we tied UNM 10-10. Have had season tickets since the early 70's. He died young at 59 years of age, still miss him. I'm 61 and now go with his 75 year old brother and my 15 year old son to all home games. God Bless you.

[onetl]

Mutt, sorry for your loss.Some how I think "Chesty Puller was there to welcome Lt. Col Charles E. "Charlie" Cannon
to his last duty station. I servedin the Marines 1954-1956 but don't believe our paths crossed.

[Political Hack]

Thoughts and prayers Mutt. We'll be thinking about you and your family.

[msubullylady]

From the daughter of a Marine who is guarding the gates of Heaven as well as being the wife of a Marine Veteran, you are in my thoughts & prayers. May he rest in peace and I thank you for his service to OUR America ~

[Mutt the Hoople]

Glad you got to see him one last time before he passed. Sounds like he ended his life with a better relationship with you than he had with his father. I'm sure he'd appreciate this tribute to him.
His relationship with Grandpa was always on his mind with regards to us. He never wanted to alienate his kids the way his dad alienated him.

He was definitely a hardass in the 1960's, when he was at NAS Meridian flying three hops a day (working 0530 to 1730 every day, 5-6 days a week, instructing new Marine and Navy pilots and getting them ready for Vietnam. And the two years after he came back from his second tour in 1969, he was one very angry man (I know no hippies tried to spit on him, because if they did he'd have killed them right then and there...and dad was never in prison).

However, he mellowed considerably by the time I was in High School, and by the '80's he was downright lovable.

[Dawgface]

Sorry for your loss.