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!