James M. Cannon

We are sad to announce the passing of James M. Cannon, beloved husband of the late Mary Bernice (nee McCutcheon), son of the late James B. and Margaret A. Cannon (nee Austin). He was also, the Loving “father” of James Mac, and his wife Julee (nee Outman), and grandfather of their children Christy, Chloe, Olivia and Bennet. James was the eldest brother to: Richard, Rose Ann, Paul, Albert, David, John, Mary Louise, Mary Ellen, Margaret, George and Thomas. James is survived by about a hundred nephews and nieces, both great and small. James’s military service (over 20 years) concluded as a retired Air Force Master Sargent, while being stationed in Texas, Washington DC, California, Alaska and Nationalist China’s Taipei and Taiwan. He also completed over 23 years of Federal Civil Services as an Armed Forces College Consoler. By using himself as an example of on-going educational growth in “Management and Supervision”, through Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degree programs, using the various colleges and universities near where he was posted. James, found it extremely gratifying to enable both military personnel, their dependents as well as civilian students to advance their own educations from high school diplomas, trade schools, and even working through their own higher degree plans.

Jim’s hobbies included the leading of precision Air Force Drill Teams at each of the locations where he was stationed. He loved coaching and umpiring junior sports teams while encouraging excellence in their individual performances. His travels and explorations of the back countries of California, Nevada, and Alaska were wonderful experiences for James, under the pen name “The Alaskan Rambler”. There he gained fame as a Published Adventure “Poet“. Writing poetry was a real pleasure for him. He loved to express the varying beauty of the mountains, the valleys, and the forests along with the personification of their hidden wild life. Panning for gold, searching for secluded ghost towns where ever he could find them, were a continuing lure for his stories and tales. Mostly he enjoyed sharing these travel experiences with his loving wife and ever inquisitive son.

Jim’s active life was greatly constrained as he contracted rheumatoid arthritis during his stay in China. This disease put an ever-growing damper on his activities for over 20 years. During his final 15 years of life, he was reduced to total confinement in bed, where his strength weakened and ability to handle the most meager tasks of even feeding himself was a significant challenge. Still his ability to banter with the nurses and aids who serviced him, demonstrated that his strong mental acuity communicated that he still possessed his internal spirit. A deep thanks to Clovernook HealthCare LLC, for their combined patience and their dedication to care for him.

James never lost his desire to give back for the gifts of family and personal motivation that he received during his early days. So, over his last few years James established a “Endowed Funded Scholarship” to support the needy students who attend his alma mater high school “Roger Bacon High”. As he saw that his desire to achieve, was established during those Franciscan guided years along with his family’s modest economic conditions.

Jim will be greatly missed, as he passed away on Friday, April 24, 2020, age 84; due to his advanced age, the progression of the rheumatoid arthritis disease, and a final tip from the corona virus.

A memorial service is being planned for a little later in the year, on a date when once again, it will be safe to gather.

James’ final interment will be at the “Gate of Heaven Cemetery, North of Cincinnati Ohio.

In lieu of flowers any memorial donations may be made to the James M. Cannon Scholarship Fund at

Roger Bacon High School
Address: 4320 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45217–1542

Att: Rick Sollman

Phone: 513.641.1300

FAX: 513.641.0498

E-mail: info@rogerbacon.org

Office Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Monday-Friday