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Jim worked as a Boiler Operator at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church until his retirement due to disability in 1993. He was a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he was a Eucharistic Minister and coached 10 & under baseball from 1984 – 1991. Jim was an active volunteer at St. Charles Hospital and TRIO-(Transplant Support Group).
In 1988 at the age of 39, Jim became the 2nd Heart Transplant Recipient from the former Medical Collage of Ohio where he remained the longest survivor from MCO. Jim became somewhat of a local celebrity with the media buzz after his transplant. Due to his vascular disease he eventually required a kidney transplant and leg amputation. Jim’s spirit and will to live were unmatched. He was always the life of the party and did not let his disability get in his way.
One of Jim’s many passions was travel. He took yearly family trips with his wife and children, which continued on to include his grandchildren. Jim managed to take one more family trip in August, traveling to Ocean Isle, NC where Jim was able to enjoy the ocean breezes one last time. One of Jim’s favorite trips was an Alaskan cruise that he took with his wife.
Jim’s greatest love was his grandchildren and watching their sporting events. “Papa” was a constant fixture at all of their games and even was able to travel to their out of town tournaments. Jim could always be seen on his gray scooter zipping around the baseball/softball fields, hockey rinks and football games. He was also an avid Ohio State Buckeyes, Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Braves fan.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Denise (Arquette) Cannon, children: James (Laurie) Cannon Jr. and Jennifer (Kynard) Cannon –Holston; grandchildren: Kyle, Chandler, Brendan, Allyson, Alaina and one on the way. He is also survived by his “special” niece, Yvonne Dewey, sisters, Janet (Ken) Wilbur and Cherie (Dennis) Monroe and many nieces, nephews and friends; as well as his special friend; “Barney”. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother, William Cannon and sister, Marianne Brandeberry.
Friends may visit Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd. in Oregon (419) 693-9304, Today, Thursday, January 3, 2008 from 2-9 p.m. Funeral services will begin on Friday at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home and continue on with the Service of Christian Burial in St. Ignatius Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of N.W. Ohio.