Stanley Hayward Cannon

January 24, 1930 – May 11, 2011

Mr. Stanley Hayward Cannon, 81, of Cooks Hammock, Fla., passed away Wednesday May 11, 2011 in the VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla. following an extended illness. Mr. Cannon was born January 24, 1930 in Cooks Hammock to the late William Owen Cannon, and the late Artie Driver Cannon. He was a veteran of the US Army where he served in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Cannon worked for 10 years as a deputy sheriff for Lafayette County, Fla. He was then elected as the sheriff of Lafayette County, where he also served 10 years. He then worked for the Department of Corrections for several years before retiring from law enforcement. In his earlier years, Mr. Cannon was an avid rodeo competitor in both bronco riding and bull riding, where he rode, and placed, in the National Championship Rodeo at Madison Square Garden. He also was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping in his spare time.

He is survived by one son, Darryl Stanley Cannon, of Mayo; three daughters, Anita Castleman and husband Fred; Vivian Ross; and Reba Hurst and husband Wendell, all of Mayo. His lifelong companion, Imogene Lawson Kent, of Mayo, seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Cannon will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011 in the Joe P. Burns Funeral Home Chapel in Mayo, with Bro. Charlie Walker and Bro. Freddy Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in Cooks Hammock Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday evening at Joe P. Burns Funeral Home of Mayo who is in charge of all arrangements.