Mark Steven Cannon of Rowlett, TX passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at the age of 65.
Mark was born on December 2, 1954, in Alice, Texas to George Cannon and Virginia O’Neal Cannon. He grew up in Manhattan, Kansas and graduated from Manhattan High School in 1972, lettering in football, wrestling, and tennis. He went on to play college football for two years at Hutchinson Junior College in Kansas. After multiple semesters at various colleges, he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas in 1988. He began his career in the building material business in the mid-1970s. By the mid-1990s, Mark followed his lifelong passion for education obtaining his Master’s in Kinesiology and becoming a teacher and coach. Mark taught and coached at Agnew Middle School in Mesquite, TX for 10 years before obtaining his Master’s in Counseling and transitioning to a counselor at Terry Middle School in Mesquite for 10 years. He retired in 2016 from education and worked part time at En Fuego Cigar Shop. Mark loved to spend time at the lake fishing, riding his motorcycle, and smoking cigars. It was rare to come across Mark without a cigar in his hand.
Mark was a beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, teacher, coach, counselor, and friend. He loved fiercely and always selflessly gave to others. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He wore his heart on his sleeve and expressed his emotions openly with all those around him. Mark was a story teller and captivated all of his family and friends with tales of the past that could leave you with a smile on your face or rolling with laughter.
Mark is survived by the love of his life of 35 years, Rita; children, Matthew Cannon (Emily), Kaci McDaniel (Terry), and Steven Cannon (Carol); sisters, Jill Stallard (Steve), Kathy Cannon, and Kim Waldron (Ken); step-mom, Jodie Cannon; granddaughters, Harper Cannon, Hannah McDaniel, and baby Cannon due December 2020; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins that all loved him so dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents, George Cannon and Virginia O’Neal Cannon, and his brother, Chris Cannon.
Mark loved the Lord with all his heart and is now at peace in the arms of the Lord. Anyone who had the opportunity to be in his presence, whether in the classroom, on the football field, at the cigar shop, or on the lake will definitely miss him. He made an impact on more lives than he will ever know.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 9:00-11:00 am at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rowlett. Followed by a gathering to smoke cigars in Mark’s memory at Main Street Cigar Lounge from 11:30-2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a contribution in Mark’s memory to a charity near and dear to his heart, Hugs & Heartbeats, a non-profit founded by his children to raise money and provide grants to cancer survivors needing assistance to begin and grow their families.
