James A. Cannon
James A. Cannon, 86, a well-loved and long time funeral director from Fountain Inn, SC, husband of the late Sara Frances Askins Cannon, and co-owner of Heritage Funeral Home, died at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 22, 2015.
A son of the late Arthur Dickson and Lila Foy Cannon, he spent all of his 86 years in the community founded by his pioneering great-grandfather, Noah Cannon.
After graduating high school from Gordon Military College in Barnesville, GA, he attended Wofford College from 1946-1948. In 1949, he graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and returned home to work in the family funeral business which was established in 1879. As a third generation funeral director, this well-respected gentleman offered compassion and comfort to thousands of families in the area. Mr. Cannon was past president of South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, the State Board of Funeral Service, an honored member of the National Selected Morticians, and past president of the South Carolina Cemetery Association.
James was a life-long member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Fountain Inn. His grandfather, James A. Cannon, in partnership with James West, donated the land to begin this church in 1887. He was one of four founding members and a past president of Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce. He served on the City Council for two terms and was a Fire Department volunteer. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Fountain Inn Music Club, and a charter member and past president of the Lions Club. He was a director of the Palmetto Bank Board for 25 years, and served on the local board as well.
His family was his greatest enjoyment, with golf coming in a close second. He was an original organizer of Fox Run Country Club and served as past president. He loved boating and spent many enjoyable times with friends and family at Lake Hartwell. He was an enthusiastic fan of Wofford, Furman, Carolina, and Clemson football. He was a licensed pilot and soloed the same day as his daughter, Cathy. James enjoyed life, made friends easily, and was a great storyteller with a humorous personality. All who met him felt comfortable in his presence because of his gentle and kind nature.
Mr. Cannon is survived by two daughters: Cathy (Harold) Hubka of Ormond Beach, FL, and Carol (John) Hopkins of Simpsonville, SC; a son, Al (Cindy) Cannon of Greenville, SC; a brother, Dick (Jenny) Cannon of Naples, FL; and a brother-in-law, John E. Johnston of Greenville. Pops adored his grandchildren: Alison (Jimmy) Schroeder of Orlando, FL; Cole (Jenna) Hubka of Jupiter, FL; James Cannon Hubka of Greenville, Caroline Hopkins of Greenville, John Drayton Hopkins, III of Simpsonville, and Sara Emory Cannon and Westly Cannon of Greenville; and his great-grandchildren: Sara Cate and Brady Schroeder of Orlando, FL.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Jeanne (Leon) Johnson and Caroline Johnston.
Our family will be eternally grateful for the love shared between our dad and Mary Abercrombie. We wish to especially recognize and thank Donald “Chicken” Smith of Fountain Inn for the unconditional love, friendship, and care he provided our father for many, many years. Enhancing his life these last years were caretakers Cindy Davis, Gloria Ramey, and Sandy Thomason of ResCare, as well as Linda Powell Carroll of Simpsonville.
Our dad was pleased and proud to continue the family tradition of compassionate funeral service when he partnered with Andy Byrd and our families opened Heritage Funeral Home.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Heritage Funeral Home, 313 N. Main Street, Simpsonville, SC.
A Funeral Service will be conducted on Saturday, March 28 at 1:00 pm in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home with Rev. Laura Canine officiating.
A Committal Service will follow at Cannon Memorial Mausoleum, 1150 N. Main St., Fountain Inn.
Pallbearers will be Rick Foy, Randy Foy, Dickson Cannon, Cole Hubka, Cannon Hubka, John Drayton Hopkins, III, Drew Fortson, Travis Fortson, and Donald Smith.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 403 S. Weston St., Fountain Inn, SC 29644, or to the Fountain Inn History Center, 102 Depot Street, Fountain Inn, SC 29644.
