Ronald Cannon

Ronald “Ron” (Big Red) Cannon, 69 years old of Chicago, Illinois passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Riverside Medical Center in Newport News, Virginia, after a three-year battle with cancer. By his bedside at passing was his wife, Colette, to whom he had been married over 24 years. Ron was the third child of the late Morris Cannon, Sr., and Dorothy “Dortha” (Heath) Cannon. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Ferdell; and his best friend, Ronny Johnson. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois and was educated through the Chicago Public School System, and graduated in 1972 from Farragut High School. Ron later went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree from Regents College (Now Excelsior), and complete masters level courses. Ron was a Vietnam-era veteran, and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force. Ron retired in 2010, after 31 years and 9 months as an U.S. Government Civil Servant working for the Department of Defense. His career culminated at the Defense Information Security Agency (DISA) as an Information Technology (IT) Specialist. Besides his family, Ron loved music and his many guitars. He was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); founded and executive produced two CDs with his friend Ronny under the band name CrossTown (which included Anthony Space and Maurice “Moe” Teel). Ron was also the owner of XLProductions, which specialized in Pro-Tools audio recording, editing, mixing, multi-media and web services. He began playing guitar at a young age, and played in his high school band. He later formed and played with many bands including Excel, Round2, Crosstown, Quiet Fire, Brother Reggie & C-note and most recently, The Champagne Band. Ron met his wife, Colette in the summer of 1995, when he was a guitarist and she was a singer in the band, Excel. After Ron’s move to the Peninsula area of Virginia, he learnt comedy through the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) and began performing locally in places like Cozzy’s. He was known for making people laugh and telling a good joke. Ron often stayed in trouble with his wife whenever she was the target of some of his jokes. Ron was a loving family man who God blessed with daughters, Geisha-Marie, Janaya, and Charde’; step-daughters, Camalita Garrett and Jamilia Booker-Hernandez; grandchildren, Nilah, Peyton, Madison, Gabriella, Heaven, Lillian, Savannah and Cayden; and two sons-in-law, Leonard and Jose. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, two step-daughters, eight grandchildren; his brother, Morris Jr.; six sister-in-laws; three brother-in-laws; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; his good friends, Rodney Lewis and Wayne Stith, as well as many other relatives and friends. A visitation will be held June 1, 2024 from 11AM-1PM at Parklawn Wood Funeral Home, located at 2551 N.Armistead Ave, Hampton VA, 23666, a Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 1:00 PM