Wendell A. Cannon

Wendell Allen Cannon, 84 Cannon Automotive Group Lakeland - On September 19, 2012, Wendell Allen Cannon ended his long battle with cancer, displaying the personal courage and devout faith which characterized his entire life. Wendell faced his challenges quietly, without complaint and with a smile for everyone. The integrity with which he conducted his life and his manner in confronting challenges and hardships set a wonderful example for his family, a legacy for which we will always be grateful. Born October 15, 1927, to Jesse A. Cannon and the former Annie Lou Goleman of Lakeland, he was a lifetime resident of Lakeland. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Clara; three sons, Terry (Terry Asher), Rick (Denise), and Danny, of Lakeland; a grandson, Kyle Cannon, also of Lakeland; and granddaughter Kimberly Lehmann-Saba (Pete) of Casselberry. He is also survived by two great grandsons, Jonah Lehmann-Saba of Casselberry, and Noah Davis of Bartow; and surviving cousins, Barbara Goleman of Lakeland, Mae Brown of Tampa, and Nancy McCandless of Ruskin. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Leora Stanfill, and her husband Danny Stanfill, both of Houston, Texas, and Lakeland. Wendell was a wonderful husband and father who loved to spend time with his family, sharing his knowledge of business, as well as his passion for fishing, hunting, and playing golf at Lone Palm Golf Club, where he was a member since 1965. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and met his wife, Clara, while stationed in Pensacola shortly after World War II. He was a salesman all his professional life, beginning his career selling cars in Lakeland in 1948 with Griner Waters at Lakeland Lincoln Mercury, while attending Florida Southern College. He later joined Harold Streater at Streater Buick in 1949. His first job was selling service door-to-door. He eventually became general manager and purchased the dealership upon Streater""s death in 1964, changing the name to Cannon Buick, Inc... In 1974, he moved the dealership from its downtown location on the corner of Ingraham Avenue and Main Street, to its current location on South Florida Avenue. Wendell was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church and was involved in moving the church from its location on Kentucky Avenue to the current location on Lake Morton. He served in the choir, on many boards, and, together with his wife, was a founding member of the BYKOTA Sunday School Class, where they made many life-long friends. The family will greet friends during a visitation/reception, Monday, September 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Narthex of the First United Methodist Church, followed by a Service of Celebration and Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL 3380l, or Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823. Service: 09/24/2012 First United Methodist Church 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33801 First United Methodist Church Visitation: 09/24/2012 First United Methodist Church