Alfred Ray Cannon Jr

Alfred Ray Cannon Jr. (Ray), a fourth generation Californian and Los Angeles County Realtor, died August 26th, 2014 at his home in Hacienda Heights with his family.

Ray was a laissez-faire conservative who never stopped writing letters to his representatives, imploring them to do the right things as he understood them. His most recent letter was penned earlier this year, urging state legislators to include desalinization projects in the solution to California’s water crisis. He had a scientific, analytic mind and he recognized that given the abundance of salt water along California’s coast, desalinization was an obvious answer to the problem. Ray earned his BS in Horticulture from UCLA in 1953.

He was a highly moral man who was raised in a non-religious, protestant family in Long Beach, the only child of Orcedes and Al Cannon. Ray was proud to be an Eagle Scout and a 32º Mason. He volunteered for the United States Navy during World War II upon graduating from Inglewood High School. His grandfather William Frederick was Captain of the Southern California Region of the California Highway Patrol until his death in 1945. All of these things

shaped Ray's values and behavior. He insisted for example that after using something that belonged to another, one leave it in as good a condition as he found it, if not better. He actively volunteered his time to the community as a member of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service and the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. He taught a night school Real Estate Math course at Pasadena City College for years to enable working people to better themselves professionally. Ray neither hid his beliefs and values nor evangelized them; he simply lived them, speaking of them but when required by the situation.

At the same time his family and friends remember Ray as a man who loved a good joke and was known as a master of puns. He possessed self-confidence, poise and swagger; he was a good dancer, a gentleman, and a loving and loyal husband and father. During the late 1960’s while sitting in the stands watching his son's little league game, he was approached and asked if he would fill in for the missing announcer. He was such a natural that he immediately became the voice of Sportsman Little League at pristine Getty Field, announcing each and every game with professionalism and authority. While he would be the first to admit he was no Vin Scully, the fans loved his positive tone and timely humor. As in this case, when he did something, he always did his best. And nothing better demonstrates this than does the beautiful landscaping and garden he created at the family home using his education and experience.

Ray was a man who engaged with his surroundings and his place in history, embracing some things while disdaining others. He lived during a time of enormous change and momentous events. The population of LA County in 1930 was 1.2 million; in 2010 it reached 9.8 million (800% growth). The President of the US was Calvin Coolidge when he was born; Barack Obama when he died. He grew up during the Great Depression and World War II; raised his family, worked and enjoyed adulthood during the American Century; and passed away Skyping and FaceTiming with his sons. He did things his parents didn't do including graduating from college, visiting Europe, and enjoying a well-earned pension – something none of his kids will enjoy either -as well as things they did do. Like his father and grandfather, he was initiate of the Masonic Rights and was a Shriner; he voted Republican; he believed deeply in self-reliance.

Ray leaves behind his wife Patricia after 66 years of marriage, three sons and daughter-inlaws, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren upon all of whom he has left a mark they may never fully understand or be able to completely appreciate. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends while being remembered joyfully as one who lived long and well, leaving the legacy of his family in better condition than he found it, and living up to the time-honored

Cannon/Creech tradition of being a formidable opponent at cards.

Dad, may you rest in eternal peace.