Funeral services for Retired SFC Jackie Lamar Cannon 74, of Copperas Cove, TX will be held Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 1:30 p.m., at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX. Burial with full military honors will follow the service at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Viewing will be held from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. prior to the service.

Jackie Lamar Cannon, 74, passed away on May 6th at his home in Copperas Cove, Texas.

Son of Ethel Mae and Robert Cannon, he was born December 1, 1949, in Coalwood, West Virginia. He graduated from Big Creek High School in War, West Virginia, class of 1969, which he was known for his extraordinary athletic abilities, in football and track & field.  Unfortunately, college dreams were placed on hold as the country needed soldiers during the Vietnam War.  Thus, Jackie then decided to join the United States Army and worked as a Communications Specialist/Radio Repairman. During his military service, he was stationed at Camp Red Cloud in Uijongbu, South Korea, there, he met his wife Cheung-Ko Pak.  Their love surpassed racial discrimination, cultural and language barriers, and geographical hardships.  In 1972, Jackie brought his bride to be to the United States, and they were married in a small ceremony on October 10th, in which then Cheung-Ko Pak from Daegu, South Korea, became known legally as Connie Chong Cannon.

In the span of 42 years of marriage, Jackie and Connie bought their first and final home in Copperas Cove, Texas, traveled to different countries, made lifelong friendships, and adopted a daughter, whom they named Diana Pak. Jackie then brought his family to live in Copperas Cove, as he prepared to retire from the military after proudly serving 20 years.  Jackie retired from the First Cavalry Division, as a decorated Sergeant First Class, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), in 1990.

He earned an Associate degree in Early Childhood Development from Central Texas College, but always had strong interests and abilities in technology and electronics.  Jackie was often called by friends and neighbors to fix and repair electronic hardware and devices.  He would spend long hours in his garage workshop testing and soldering motherboards. He understood the demands of the world and knew that retirement was not the final answer to support his family, so he worked tirelessly in various fields to include law enforcement and corrections. He emphasized the importance of positive thinking and hard work and instilled those values in anyone who needed guidance and mentoring. He continued to work decades after retiring from the military until the loss of his beloved wife, Connie, on October 28, 2013.

Though he became a widower and a retiree, Jackie kept busy doing the things that he loved most.  He helped care for his three grandchildren, Brayden, Derian and Nadia: picking them up from school and attending school functions with them.  He had a passion for gardening and yardwork, fishing, dancing, and he spent time with a local bowling league. Known to most of his friends and family as a poet, Jackie enjoyed conveying messages of love, hope and healing using song and written verse.  He is an author and published The Master's Plan and another untitled work, which focused on the importance of looking at cultural pasts as a way to guide society to cultural harmony.

Jackie would regularly attend a high school homecoming event in West Virginia, with his brother Robert, for Excelsior High School to commemorate the united upperclassmen of Big Creek High School before racial integration.  Jackie was a tried-and-true sportsman and fan and proudly supported the West Virginia Mountaineers and Washington Commanders (formerly Washington Redskins).  He enjoyed watching football and basketball with his son-in-law, Derrick, and even attended live games to see his Mountaineers.  As a family man to the core, Jackie spent much of his time with his daughter and her family at her home in Killeen.  He always had a place at the table everyday and was a staple at every holiday and special occasion which included having his own seat, drinking glass and throw blanket.  He and Derrick spent many hours in the back yard enjoying each other's company and reminiscing about the past and hoping for the future.

Jackie was a deeply beloved father, pop pop, brother, neighbor, and friend. His passing was sudden and quite unexpected but natural.

He was preceded to heaven by his wife, Connie; mother, Ethel Mae; father, Robert; maternal grandparents, Amie and Samuel Pratcher Sr.; paternal grandparents, Arconia and John L. Alexander; aunt, Ella Mae Edwards; and uncles Lewis and Alex Pratcher.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Derrick Townsend of Killeen, TX; his grandchildren: Brayden Laray Draper, Derian Lamar Townsend, and Nadia Idalis Townsend; his brother and his brother's wife, Robert and Ruby Cannon of Douglasville, GA; his aunts Lena Pratcher and Margaret Dunnigan and uncle, Samuel Pratcher; cousin, Pastor Donald Dunnigan, Wilmington, DE.

While we lost our most beloved Jackie, a father, grandfather, and brother, many have lost a friend and loved one in him. Yet, to know him means knowing that he leaves behind a legacy of a life well lived.   This man, who knew no strangers, who loved and laughed and valued family and fellowship will always be remembered for his peaceful nature, his helping hands, his strength and perseverance, his kindness and above all, his love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We invite you all to share pictures or memories. It was his wish that we would laugh and reminisce and smile together during this time.