Patrick "Pat" Dale Cannon

Born in Detroit, Michigan to Dahlia and Otto Cannon, Pat lived a life of significance, advocacy, love, and a whole lot of baseball. Pat appreciated the Tiger great, Kirk Gibson’s example on living with “Parkie.”

Throughout his life, Pat was unwavering in his commitment to serving others with deep compassion, answering the call to lead and advocate in countless meaningful ways. He served as Executive Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Executive Director of the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns, and as Chair of both the Governor’s Committee on Disability and the President’s Committee on Disability. He created the Michigan Non-driver ID Act, legislation that was later adopted by states across the nation. Bringing together leaders from labor, corporate, legislative, and advocacy communities, Pat helped pass the nation’s most comprehensive civil rights protections for persons with disabilities.

He served as cabinet disability policy advisor to Governor Jennifer Granholm and as Chair of Region 5 Great Lakes States in advancing the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. On July 26, 1990, he stood alongside President George H. W. Bush on the White House lawn for the signing of the bill into law. Twice appointed to the U.S. Access Board by Presidents Clinton and Obama - an exceptional honor - he later served as its Chair, helping set national standards for accessibility in the built environment to ensure access for persons with disabilities in public spaces, including federal buildings, hotels, theaters, parks, transportation systems, cruise lines, and the Internet.

A nationally certified Windmills trainer for the ADA, Pat educated and trained leaders across the country in government, business, labor, transportation, the courts, and even Major League Baseball, expanding understanding and implementation of disability rights nationwide.

Pat was also a long-time appointee to the Capitol Area Transportation Board, where he helped create the SpecTran system for non-drivers. He served as a board member of BoarsHead Theater in Lansing and as a President’s Council member of Haslett Community Church. As a young man, he co-founded the first officially sanctioned Detroit Tigers Fan Club - washing cars to earn tickets to Tigers games - an early reflection of the determination and spirit that would define his life of service.

Pat is survived by his loving wife, Janeile; children, Tracey Keehn, Bob Cannon, Buddy (Jamie) Ottensman; grandchildren, Gaberiel (Anna) Ottensman, Sarah (Ryan) Calomeni, Marisa Cannon, Bradley Cannon, Meredith Cannon; great-grandchildren, Amelia, Elliott, and Violet, sister Delores; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, John; daughter, Caylen; grandson, Cian; sister, Ann; brothers-in-law, Rob and Jim; and sister-in-law, Pamela.

The family will receive friends and family for visitation on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman East Chapel, 1730 E Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823. Following visitation will be a luncheon from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in the event center at the funeral home. A funeral service for Pat will take place in the funeral home's main chapel at 2:00 PM, Hospice Chaplain Grant Fifield officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat's memory may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906, https://adoptlansing.org/