Oldin Foster Cannon
Oldin Foster Cannon, 92, of Silsbee, died Tuesday, March 8, 2022. He was born on August 2, 1929, in Shelbyville, to Eunice Taylor Cannon and George F. Cannon. Oldin proudly served his country in the United States Army.
Mr. Cannon graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1946 and enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17. He served a three-year tour of duty with the Corps of Engineers in the South Pacific.
After he returned from the army, he went to Lamar University and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He then went to work for Sun Pipeline Company and Sunoco, Incorporation for thirty-six years and retired in January 1991.
Mr. Cannon and his wife, Helen, volunteered in lay outreach service ministries, including participation in prison ministries, in both Texas State and Federal Prison systems. He also volunteered at the Hardin County Christian Care Center for twenty-seven years.
Survivors include his son, Patrick Cannon and his wife, Diane; sister, Marilyn Lout and her husband, Kenneth; and brother, Robert Cannon and his wife, Wanda; and grandchildren, Joshua Cannon, Brian Taylor, Heather Brazier, Amber Callahan, Bethany Cannon, Kandice Ciotti, and Katelyn Murphy. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen Cannon; son, George Cannon; brothers, William Cannon and James Cannon; and two nephews, James Neil Cannon and Randy Lout.
The interment of his cremated body will be held at Cannon Family Cemetery, Shelbyville, at a later date.
Committal
Broussard’s Crematorium
- 5150, Stivers Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77705,
Mr. Cannon was a special man. He had a wonderful spirit and was so cheerful in his service to others. He would bring donations to Some Other Place for our “soup kitchen.” He would only take a few moments out to visit and have a snack and then he was on to other projects. He is most definitely missed. May he RIP…Paula O’Neal and the SOP family
Foster is the first survey engineer I ever worked for, sch a kind patient longsuffering man. He didn’t get riled during crisis situations, always willing and ready to help anyone within his power. I have seen him many times throughout the years after his retirement; always the same kind and gentle soul I remembered working with at Sun Pipeline when I was 17 or 18 years of age. This old world could use another billion or so Foster Cannons. I know I will see him again, but for now, rest in peace my friend, Ernest Brown
I worked for Foster during my college years and considered him my mentor. I’ve never met a better man. Always happy and willing to help anyone. He was a good friend and always well thought of by all of the Archie Johnston family. Rest In Peace my dear friend. You will always be in my prayers.
Helen and Foster were lovely Christian friends who made a difference wherever they served. It was our privilege to work along side them at Some Other Place and Beaumont Community and Silsbee Little Theaters.
Foster was one of the best men our family knew. He worked with our everyone we knew including our dad.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
The Family of Archie Johnston
Patrick when I was a young lad and you and your brother were much smaller I spent one day with your father planting Christmas tree seedlings on your property in Silsbee. Probably 55 yrs ago. Never forgot how patient and nice him and your mother were to me. I’m sorry for your loss of such a good person.
I had the distinct honor to have known Foster for a few years. Even in his nineties he was tough as leather. Foster distributed bread to the Salvation Army and other worthy” food for the homeless” organizations. At Hardin County Christian Care Center he kept the freezers and coolers in the proper cleanliness condition. I will miss his will-do demeanor and interesting conversations. He did so much more at the Center that will be remembered.