Obituary: Dr.W. Lester Cannon

Dr. W. Lester Cannon 11/11/1917~1/18/2006 W. Lester Cannon, DDS, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on January 18, 2006 surrounded by his beloved wife and three generations of his adoring posterity. His death was due to complications from a fall at his home. Lester was born November 11, 1917 to Willard Leslie Cannon and Nancy Janet Stephenson Cannon in Holden, Utah. On September 6, 1942, he married Margaret Ann Staker. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He attended South High School and completed his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University where he was a star athlete in track and basketball and a distinguished scholar. In his time there, he was twice named the most efficient athlete scholar of the year and was honored in the Blue Book of College Athletics. He served honorably in World War II as a Commander of a naval gun crew in the Southwest Pacific and later as the Gunnery Officer on the U.S.S. Julius A. Raven, a light attack transport. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Lieutenant (Senior Grade.) Beginning in 1946, he attended the prestigious School of Dentistry at Northwestern University in Chicago. He graduated at the top of his class in 1950 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Based on his academic excellence, he was selected for membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon - an honorary dental scholastic society. Together, he and Margaret raised three children, while Lester practiced dentistry in Holladay for forty years. An avid outdoorsman, he particularly enjoyed golfing, hunting and camping with his family and friends. Among his favorite hobbies were attending BYU football games and watching Jazz and BYU games at home. Throughout his life, he was an active golfer and avid reader. During his 88 years, he served faithfully in many church callings and on various community councils, organizations and service groups. He was kind, patient and exemplary in every respect. Lester will be remembered foremost as a loving husband, father and patriarch. Survived by his wife, Margaret, his children Lester (Susan), Don (Jackie) and Clark (Kari), thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and his sister Lila Biesinger. Preceded in death by his sister Jane Leonard. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 23rd at noon in the Brighton 12th Ward chapel, 2598 E. Creek Road (approx. 8200 South). Friends may call at the Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 South) on Sunday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Monday at the chapel from 10:45 am to 11:45 am. Interment at Murray City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions be made to the BYU Cougar Club (Athletic Scholarship Fund) in the name of W. Lester Cannon, DDS, 336 SAB Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602