Raymond G. Canant

LTC Raymond Gordon Canant, US Army (Ret), known to many as “Ray”, age 86, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 5, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born June 27, 1938 to Raymond Gideon and Violet Canant. He earned the Eagle Scout rank in his hometown of Bynum, Alabama. Ray graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York in 1960, enjoyed West Point Pistol Club for three years and was commissioned a 2LT (Second Lieutenant) in the U.S. Army Artillery. His Army career included missile and ammunition battalions in Okinawa, Japan; Ordnance Air Defense; commander of ammunition company, Vietnam; Advanced Modular Maintenance Unit, Alabama; ammunition staff officer in Thailand and Heidelberg, Germany; and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Ray married in Germany, adopted daughter Andrea, and had two children, Kurt and Patricia. He earned a Master of Science degree in Engineering, University of Alabama, Huntsville, 1970. Military awards; Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam 1967; two Meritorious Service Medals, Japan, 1972, 1974; Legion of Merit 1981. Ray retired from the U.S. Army in 1981 as Lieutenant Colonel, Ordnance Corps, Health Services Command, Fort Sam Houston TX, where his second wife passed away.

Ray worked in the life insurance industry in 1982, progressing into finance, and managed Equity Financial Services for 30 years. He married Carmen Diane in 1983 and had one child, Philip. Ray was a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) in 1986, Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) in 1989, and registered Investment Advisor. He was President of North Central San Antonio Rotary Club and member of Texas Corvette Association for 11 years. Ray was an avid reader, enjoyed shooting pistols, traveling, and played on many tennis teams, including Senior National Championships, 1999 Palm Springs CA. He was Team Captain for 6 years and played tennis until age 84. Ray was an active member of The Light of the World church for almost two years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Carmen Diane. Ray was preceded in death by the passing of his firstborn son, Kurt, in 2012; remaining survivors include his brother Gary (wife, Maxie), daughter Andrea Sweet, daughter Patricia Aven, son Philip (wife, Erica); five grandchildren, Theresa, Kenzie, Emarosa, Eliana, and Enzo, and four great-grandchildren.

A visitation for Ray will be held 6:00-8:00 pm, Tuesday, April 29 at Porter Loring Mortuary North. A Procession to the 11:00 am graveside service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will begin at Porter Loring Mortuary North on Wednesday, April 30, at 10:15 am.