Oliver Michael Cannon

Oliver Michael Cannon went to Glory at 6:16 a.m. Nov. 24, 2020, at the age of 83 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After several days of visitation from various close friends, beloved family and Pastor Rob Pacienza, Michael passed peacefully with wife, Kim, and daughter, Kelly, by his side. 

Michael was born on Feb. 22, 1937 in Long Branch, New Jersey, to parents Olga G. Piper Cannon Hertel and Noble Arthur De Tarr.  Although Noble was his biological father, he considered John Michael Cannon to be his true “Dad” and changed his last name to carry the Cannon legacy.

Michael received a BS degree in Business and Marketing, at Florida State University, where he was also a member of the FSU tennis team. He worked as a Methods Analyst at Traveler’s Insurance Co. in Hartford, Connecticut, then subsequently accepted the position of Stock Broker at Merrill Lynch in Ft. Lauderdale. Later he would open successful clothing stores Jeans South Inc. with late wife Patricia Anne Scholtens Cannon, establishing locations in Ft. Lauderdale and Highlands, NC.  Michael also made his mark in Highlands, as a real estate developer of commercial space and residential developments; this included building and managing Oak Square, a commercial shopping center with apartments on Highland’s Main Street.

Michael is survived by wife Kim Baker, first wife Sandra McDavid Williams, and sister Sandra Burroughs. Michael created quite a legacy having six children; Scott, Jon, Marc, David, Lisa and Kelly; three daughters in law, Susie, Diana, and Marcia McCann Cannon, along with one son in law, Bruce Bird, eleven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews, and many great lifetime friends. 

Michael Cannon was a man larger than life, who poured his everything into creating a life of love, and bestowing now a legacy of love. He was a brilliant entrepreneur who later, after coming to Christ, yielded his earnings and winnings to the Lord’s purposes and loved generously. He was a man of deep waters, prayer and scriptures, often seeking wisdom and providing comfort at nursing homes and hospitals with his sermons and singing. Michael had an incredible voice, one which he curated and trained, an ode to the voices of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra whom he loved and studied. He won several awards, accolades and even cut two albums.  Michael could bellow any song, change the atmosphere, bring angels to the room, tears to your eyes and Heaven’s sweet presence with his heart and soul.  He was a constant, a character and undeterred to share his faith. They called him “Jolly Oly”, as he never failed to improve your mood with his wit, charm, love of life, generosity, humor, songs and the gospel. 

Please join us for Oliver Michael Cannons Celebration of life at 11 a.m. on Jan. 9 at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church at 5555 N. Federal Highway, Ft. Lauderdale Fla. Reception following the Celebration of Life. At the request of the family, please social distance and wear masks.  

For those who cannot attend in person, there will be livestream from the Church website at the aforementioned date and time, which can be viewed with the following link: (www.crpc.tv). Please share a memory of Michael online. Go to www.dignitymemorial.com and type in Oliver Michael Cannon into the search bar, then click on his picture to share a memory or story of him. 

In Leui of flowers, please donate to Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Sonrise Mission In Florida and the Geriatric Ward Care at Highlands-Eckerd Living Center in Highlands.