Devereaux Cannon

[larry_cockerham]

Those who study civil war era flags have lost a champion. The Sons of Confederate Veterans, the legal profession, and the state of Tennessee have lost a true friend and fine gentleman. May he rest in peace.

Devereaux D. Cannon, Jr. age 53 of the Rock Bridge community passed away Saturday, December 29, 2007. He is preceded in death by his mother Nancy Yancy Adair Cannon and brother Ty Cannon. He is survived by his wife Nora Tickle Cannon and daughter Nancy Katherine Cannon both of Rock Bridge, son 2 Lt Devereaux D. Cannon III and his wife Joleen of Ft. Bragg, N.C., his father Devereaux D. Cannon, Sr. and brother Cooper Cannon and wife Candy all of Ellendale, TN, two grandchildren, Devereaux D. Cannon IV and Brian Boru Cannon. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, with Father John Sappenfield Celebrant. Visitation will be Tuesday January 1st 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. with a Vigil service at 6:00 p.m. all at St. John Vianney. Burial will be in Gallatin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 449 North Water Avenue, Gallatin, TN 37066-2305 or Carter House P.O. Box 555 Franklin, TN 37065.

[Tonnie]

Larry,

A fine man, cousin, father, grandfather, and friend. I grew up in re-enacting (25 years) and although he was a cousin of ours, he was much more like a father figure (albeit a young one) to me. He enjoyed messing with us kids when we were teenagers in re-enacting. He would tell us ghost stories (usually with historic significance) and his son Devie (Devereaux III) used to follow our little group around when we would go on night hikes and look for caves and "foxfire" and scout out the ironworks (no that wasn't us and I will deny any accusation...well, it could have been ). I remember one time we went up to the top of the lookout tower at the Battle of Perryville and poor Devie, although he got up there alright, was terrified to come down. He must have been no more than 8. His Daddy always had a way though....as Daddys tend to do.

Devereaux would bring roasted peanuts to some events. Us kids loved them and the best part was getting "bombshelled" (similar to a good old-fashioned food fight Civil War style) by Devereaux with the shells afterwards. Devie would throw them by handfulls and would eventually run out of "ammo" and Devereaux would have to remind him to "quit throwing loaded ones". His famous terminology for young children was to classify them as "Urchins" and we all answered to it. My favorite picture of him was when he pulled his sleeping bag up next to the campfire (roughin' it) during the 125th Battle of Franklin (it got down to 12 below zero that night). Somehow in trying to warm his feet, his shoes ended up IN the fire. The next morning he woke up with icicles hanging from his whiskers (which he immediately showed us kids) and melted brogans. Typical Devereaux

Devereaux taught me the Ave Maria and some other prayers in Latin. I prayed the "Miseratur" over the "wounded" troops when I re-enacted a novice nun with the old nurses corps that used to be allowed on the field years ago. When I was trying to decide what language to take in High School he took me to Latin Mass at St. Mary's in Nashville. This sparked off a flame that took me through 4 years of Latin in HS, Honors Courses, Greek and Latin Medical Terminology in college, and Veterinary School. I have Devereaux to thank for that and everytime I remember the words to a prayer in Latin or go to Latin Mass I remember him.

I just talked to him a few months ago. We were discussing how to take the first steps to go about saving my great-grandmother's old 19th Century farmhouse that is about to be torn down in Franklin. I still can't believe that he is gone. It is definitely the end of an Era with the loss of Mr. Devereaux Cannon II . What I will remember most is his unique sense of humor and his eternal child-like nature that delighted us and still does even though all us "kids" are grown now. He was a wealth of historical knowledge and a cache of hysterical antics. I am so proud to have known him....and to have learned from him.

Sincerely,
Tonnie

[ole]

A tremendous obituary for one who obviously affected everything he touched. Thanks Larry and Tonnie.

ole

[larry_cockerham]

The following resolution was passed today by both houses of the Tennessee legislature:

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 774

By DuBois, McDaniel, McDonald, Maggart, Lynn

A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Devereaux D. Cannon, Jr., of the Rock Bridge community.

WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened and deeply moved to learn of the untimely passing of Mr. Devereaux D. Cannon, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Devereaux Cannon was an exemplary public servant and consummate professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in numerous capacities; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, from which he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence, Mr. Cannon was admitted to the Tennessee Bar and served with acumen and alacrity as Assistant Vice-President and State Counsel for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, in which position he earned the respect of his peers and superiors alike for the exemplary quality of his work; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Devereaux Cannon bravely served his country and State as a former commanding officer of the 201st Military Police Battalion and rendered sterling service as the Staff Judge Advocate of the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Tennessee State Guard; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cannon further demonstrated his commitment to patriotic service by assiduously working to preserve the illustrious history of this nation through his active participation in the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Military Order of the Stars and Bars; and

WHEREAS, Devereaux Cannon was a staunch political activist and created the TaxFreeTennessee web site that proved to be very beneficial during the State Income Tax protests; and

WHEREAS, extremely knowledgeable in the fascinating history and symbolism of flags, Devereaux Cannon shared his expertise by penning several books on the subject, including The Flags of the Confederacy: An Illustrated History, Flags of Tennessee, and The Flags of the Union: An Illustrated History; and

WHEREAS, he also demonstrated his superb writing skills as the author of The Wit and Wisdom of Robert E. Lee and as a member of the Board of Advisors of Southern Partisan magazine; and

WHEREAS, a stalwart member of the community, Devereaux Cannon was an esteemed Fourth Degree member of the prominent Knights of Columbus; and

WHEREAS, Devereaux was deeply devoted to his family, and he always endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order; and

WHEREAS, he is preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Yancy Adair Cannon, and his brother, Ty Cannon; and

WHEREAS, Devereaux Cannon enjoyed the loving companionship of his wife, Nora; he was the proud parent of Nancy Katherine Cannon and Second Lieutenant Devereaux D. Cannon III and the doting grandfather of Devereaux D. Cannon IV and Brian Boru Cannon; and

WHEREAS, Devereaux is also survived by his father, Devereaux D. Cannon, Sr., his daughter-in-law, Joleen Cannon, his brother, Cooper Cannon, and his sister-in-law, Candy Cannon; and

WHEREAS, Devereaux Cannon leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in public life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all his chosen endeavors; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that this General Assembly should pause to remember the bountiful life of this exceptional public servant and human being; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE

CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Mr. Devereaux D. Cannon, Jr., reflecting fondly upon his impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life with courage and conviction.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences to the family of Mr. Devereaux D. Cannon, Jr.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy.