Opal Parish Cannon

Opal Inez Parish Cannon was born March 9, 1927, in Earth, Texas, to William Henry Parish and Theodosia Smith. She was the youngest of five siblings in the thriving farm community of Earth. She attended and graduated from high school in Springlake, Texas.

Following graduation, while on a trip to visit her sister in Amarillo, she met the love of her life—the young and dashing soldier, Philip Miles Cannon. They married six months later in 1946 and moved to Chicago to begin their life and family together. Philip attended school to pursue a career in electronics, and upon graduation, the couple moved to his home state of Alabama, where their first two children, Danny Michael and Linda Gayle, were born. Seven years later, the family returned to Earth, Texas, where their youngest child, Philip Dale, was born.

Beginning in 1960, the family relocated to numerous locations across the United States in pursuit of Philip’s career in the space program, eventually setting down roots in Deer Park, TX in 1967. Opal made a home in every city they lived in and maintained strong family bonds even during Philip’s frequent deployments and time away. She was a true homemaker, a wonderful cook, and a caring neighbor. She loved doing crafts, sewing, crocheting, yardwork, gardening, and volunteering at her church.

Opal was a loving mother, daughter, wife, and mentor to others—a nurturer at heart and loved by all who knew her.

She passed away the morning of April 12, 2026, leaving behind her children: Mike (wife Patty) Cannon of Paonia, Colorado; Gayle Erickson (husband Glen, predeceased) of League City, Texas; and Dale (wife Lisa) Cannon of Denver, Colorado; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and too many nieces, nephews, and friends to count.

Opal was deeply loved and loved unconditionally; she will be truly missed.

A Committal Service will be held at Grand View Memorial Park, 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505, US, on April 19, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.