Dennis Porter (Steve) “Doc” Cannon, 79, a retired veterinarian, Air Force officer, maritime engineer, rancher and accomplished historic preservationist, died Tuesday, December 27 in Dripping Springs, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Jean, his daughter Susan Houston and her husband Chris, and his daughter Kay Cannon and her partner Lynn Griffis. He is also survived by sister Diane Latham, brother, John Cannon, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Katherine Berkley Cannon.
Dennis was born April 13, 1932 in McAlester, OK to Dennis Oller and Margaret Porter Cannon. He spent his childhood years in Oklahoma before moving to California with his parents during World War II. After the war, his family moved to Port Arthur, Texas where Dennis graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1949. After high school, he attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY graduating with honors in 1953. Shortly afterwards, he was licensed by the United States Coast Guard as a Master Mariner and became a licensed deck officer sailing on Texaco oil tankers.
In 1956 Dennis joined the Air Force aviation cadet program in Harlingen, Texas as an aircraft navigator and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. Dennis spent 26 years in the Air Force as an active and reserve duty officer. During that time, he rose in rank to Lt. Colonel while flying missions to Vietnam, Tokyo and the major Pacific islands. Dennis also served as the Liaison Officer for the United States Air Force Academy. He retired from the Air Force in 1981. Doc served as an officer in the Dripping Springs VFW post and the American Legion.
In 1962, wanting to spend more time at home with his young family, Dennis decided to become a veterinarian and entered Texas A&M University. In 1966 he graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and opened his first veterinary clinic on the family ranch in Dripping Springs. Doc whole heartedly embraced ranching and in 2010 the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Program presented a Certificate of Honor to the Cannon-Berkley Ranch acknowledging 100 years of service to agriculture.
In 1970 he relocated his practice to Oak Hill and established the Oak Hill Veterinary Clinic. In 1977 he returned to Texas A&M and earned a Masters of Science in Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery. In 1980 Doc opened a second location, the South Austin Pet Clinic. He sold the South Austin Pet Clinic in 1986 but continued to practice in Oak Hill until his retirement in 2005.
In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Doc Cannon was one of the driving forces behind the restoration of the Dripping Springs Pound House, a pioneer farmstead. He and his first wife, Katherine, created the non-profit Friends of the Pound House Foundation in 1990. Doc served as president of the Pound House Foundation from 1990 until 2003 at which time he was named Chairman Emeritus. He continued in board service in various roles until his death. In 2004 the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce named Doc and Katherine Cannon as the “Citizens of the Year” for their vision and tireless dedication to preserving the early history of Dripping Springs.
When he retired, Doc continued his love of travel and volksmarching. When he met Jean in 2008, Doc discovered a love of polka music, dancing and Dime Box, TX. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services were held on December 30, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Dripping Springs with full military honors at Phillips Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Friends of the Pound House Foundation, P.O. Box 1150, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 or the Dripping Springs VFW Post 2933, P.O. Box 216, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.
