Alumni lost in 2022 - RIP Joe Barnett Cannon

[Coach Andy Mac]

In high school, Joe excelled in many things, not the least of which were debate and baseball. He was proudly the best one-armed pitcher for the Mexia Blackcat Baseball Team, pitching one infamous no-hitter game his senior year. He was a letterman in golf, tennis, baseball, and softball, although admittedly the competition was not really that stiff. Nonetheless, he found time to serve as President of the Student Body, was Salutatorian of his graduating class and was the State Declamation Champion of debate in 1950.

Joe’s impact did not stop there, as he ventured to college at North Texas State College (now University of North Texas). At North Texas, he served in many capacities, including President of the Student Body (1956), Rush Chair of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and President of the Debate Club. North Texas honored him with the highest recognition of the Green Glory Award in 2000 and as an Outstanding Alumni that same year.

Having majored in political science, Joe realized he might need to pursue a more lucrative career and decided to go to law school at the University of Texas. While there, he served as Mid-Law Class President, was a Texas Goodfellow, a Texas Cowboy (overseeing the honored tradition of the Longhorn cannon), and was on the Honor Council. During his third year in law school, he was recognized by the Supreme Court of Texas as the Outstanding Advocate in the moot court finals.

While finishing up law school, Joe ran and was elected State Representative for the Counties of Limestone, Falls, and Freestone. While in the Texas Legislature, Joe met the beautiful Alice Jean Sundberg, former twirler for the Longhorn Band, whom he married on August 20, 1960. Together they served the community of Mexia in many capacities and were the proud parents of two children, JoAl Cannon Sheridan, a lawyer following in his footsteps, and Thure Cannon, a well-respected lobbyist and former Capitol staffer in the state legislature. After the passing of Alice Jean, Joe later remarried Debra K. Goodwin in the year 2000, and enjoyed her company until his passing.

Read more: https://www.groesbeckjournal.com/obituaries/joe-barnett-cannon