Jack Linbergh Cannon

Jack L. Cannon, age 93, born to Clyde Franklin and Tishie Belle Cannon on October 6, 1929, in Elizabethton, TN, in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, passed away on May 27, 2023.

Jack was married April 13, 1953, to Frances Ann Eastridge, and had five children. He is survived by his children, Blayne (Karen), Colin, Shawn, Kimberly (Gordon), and Lyndee. He had fourteen grandchildren, Ian, Aeric Greye, Liam, Nathan, Joshua, Ryan Michael, Aaron, Clayton, Jessica, Melanie, Corey, Christy, Sarah, and Shawna. He also had great-grandchildren, including Joshua Jr., Ty Ryan, Bodie, Brooke, Tyler, Kurrston, Kendra, Rebecca, Haydn, Brennan, Kaelyn, Castiel, Caden, Will, Elliana, and Everett. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Franklin Cannon and Tishie Belle Nave Cannon Smith; siblings: June, Joseph, James, and Lonnie; grandsons, Ryan Michael and Aeric Greye.

Jack is most known for his illustrious artwork and being a veteran of the Korean War. He first joined the United States Army and served in the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper but was discovered to be underage and honorably discharged. He later joined the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Private First Class. During his service in the Korean War as a combat photographer and sniper, he was wounded on numerous occasions and awarded multiple Purple Heart medals. He was evacuated on the medical ship Repose and subsequently honorably discharged following injuries sustained. His experience in the Marine Corps played a very important role in his life. He frequently spoke about how the Marines taught him the value of discipline, courage, and brotherhood. He would often tell stories to others of how the Korean War contributed to his life, and even penned a book about it (The Ghosts of Kanmubong Ridge) which contained accounts of his experience and included many of his sketches from Korea. Jack led a life full of other achievements as well, including being a husband, father, inventor, precision machinist, martial arts practitioner, and judo instructor, as well as a fine arts teacher. He was always very proud that his works of combat art and examples of his art now reside in the Parris Island Museum, Marine Corps Archives, Leatherneck Magazine Archives, and around the world in private collections.

Following a full honors Military ceremony by the United States Marine Corps, he will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Semper Fi & America's Fund ( https://thefund.org/).