Robert Davis “Bob” Cannady, joined his Holy Father in Heaven on the 9th day of September 2020, following a valiant 20-month fight against Stage 4B, Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Mark Wascom at the Gainesville Bible Church, 601 N. Radio Hill Road, Gainesville, Texas at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Family visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service and a celebration of life will follow. Interment will be at the Dallas Forth Worth National Cemetery at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 14, 2020.
HISTORY:
He was the first- born son of John Robert Cannady and Linda Louise (Thornton) Higginbotham Cannady arriving on the 27th day of December 1938, in Jacksonville, Florida.
His life was one of service to the United States of America:
First, Bob joined the United States Air Force August 1956 after graduating high school at Robert E. Lee, Jacksonville. Boot Camp was at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He was then transferred to Amarillo AFB, Texas where he completed Aircraft and Jet engine school. He was sent to Loring AFB, Maine in January 1957 where he worked on B-52 aircraft as part of the ground crew. January 1959 he was transferred to Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas, where he met Sandra Lou Williams, who was enrolled at the University of Texas. They married on the 5th of May 1959 in Bastrop, Texas and were blessed with four children. They were married over 45 years, when she passed away after a long illness on November 7, 2004. While at Bergstrom he cross trained in Command and Control career field.
January 1967 he was transferred to Silk Purse Control Group, Mildenhall RAFB, England. He flew the Airborne Command Post thru December 1969 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana. In January 1971 he was sent to the 7ACCS Udorn, Thailand where he flew 96 combat missions with the 7th Airborne Battlestaff Command Control EC-130 Aircraft, (ABCCC). In January 1972 he was transferred to 3ACCS, Grissom AFB, Indiana and flew as Airborne Battlestaff Controller (SAC). He received orders in December 1973 for Blue Eagle Airborne Command and Control, Camp Smith, Hawaii. After his tour in CINPAC Command Center he flew Standboard Team 1 on Blue Eagle until June 1977. He was transferred back to the 7ACCS at Keesler AFB, Mississippi where he flew EC-130 as Aircraft Controller. In October 1979, he transferred to 50TFW, Hahn, Germany as NCOIC of 50th TAC Fighter Wing Command Post. He then transferred to 8th Air Force Headquarters, Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana in October 1980. He retired in September 1985 after serving 29+ years with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, E-9.
Bob’s second career was with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an Operations Specialist (GS-12) serving in the FEMA MERS, Denton, Texas. He spent the next 20 years supporting disasters throughout the United States after Presidential Declarations. He retired in June 2007.
After that retirement he was offered a disaster only position driving the Mobile Disaster Recovery Center vehicle. A forty-foot RV with all equipment to set up a disaster center, communications, telephones, FAX and KU band satellite. MDRC was a one-man operation and “jack of all trades to” keep everything operational. Retiring from this position in August 2011.
Bob married Marti In June 2006, and was blessed with his inherited family of Marti’s children. As a couple, they traveled to Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, Washington DC, Costa Rica, Australia/New Zealand, Moselle/Rhine river cruise, Caribbean cruise, the Great Wall and Terra Cotta Warriors in China. The most memorable trip was a tour to Italy, Switzerland, Austria and the opportunity of attending the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, and numerous cross-country ventures in the United States.
Bob enjoyed his hunting trips at the deer lease with his buddies; elk and deer hunts with his step-son Chris in Arizona and his annual fishing tournament with his brother-in-law, Don at Sam Rayburn. He was a marksman in his own right, earning him the nickname of “Bullet”. He was known to have never met a stranger and always had the gift to get a “deal” when a purchase was being transacted. He was loved and will be missed by all. Everyone recognized him by his deep pleasant voice and his, “Hey Baby”.
SURVIVORS:
Bob is survived by his brother Roy and wife, Jan, Florida; his 4 children from his deceased wife, Sandra; Kim Robbie, JoLynne and Kristina, Texas; 3 grandchildren; 2 great grand-children; sister-in-law Kara Gail and her husband, Don, Texas; cousin Buddy and his daughter, Melinda and her husband Sonny, Florida.
Marti and her family; Chris and wife, Wendy, Arizona; Kelly and husband, Byron, Michigan; Michelle, Arizona; 10 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; close family friend, Heather and her family, Arizona; Marti’s cousin Andy and wife Brigette and their 3 daughters, Canada; and an extended family in Indiana.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Robert Cannady; his mother, Linda Louise (Thorton) Higginbotham Cannady; his wife of 45 years, Sandra Lou Williams; sister Linda and her husband, Jack Stephenson.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor would be greatly appreciated to Gainesville Bible Church, the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville; or any organization that provides emergency assistance in disaster relief.
Arrangements has been provided by Meador Funeral Home, Gainesville, Texas. Please visit meadorfuneral.com for on-line sentiments or condolences.
Precious Bob, you are forever in our hearts. What a joy it was to know you and to grow with you at Gainesville Bible Church. You are forever loved and remembered. Rest well in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Love, Colby, Christy, Micah (15 yrs), and Joshua (12 yrs) Torres
Christy, Colby and boys, thank you for your kind words.
Love Marti
Bob was our neighbor and good friend that we could always depend on. He and Marti welcomed us with open arms when we moved here 11 years ago. We loved him and miss him greatly.
Bob, you were a man who was easy to respect, and I am forever grateful for how you loved my dear friend Marti, and how she loved you back. You lived a life of service and exhibited Christ in so many ways. As anyone who has trusted Him with their sins, you are now safe in His presence. No more suffering, no more tears. Living by sight, not by faith. Rest in peace- alive for eternity in Christ Who paid sins penalty on the cross.
Our dear friends and neighbors, Jim and Darrene…you were the answer to our prayers. You both have been the best neighbors and we have been very blessed by you.
Kris, truly spoken from a faithful servant of Christ. Your friendship has been a blessing to me for 36 years. We have seen and experienced alot of life together and how we have grown. Thank you. May God always bless you.
So sorry to hear he has passed. He was a good friend and I feel honored to have met such a wonderful person …i was so unaware of how great his life was … Thanks for you service Bob !
Thank you Bill. It was good to see you at the funeral.
Our condolences to cousin Marti and the rest of Bobs family. We feel fortunate to have known Bob. He visited us with Marti in Canada twice. Daughter Chip modelled her prom dress for us and fondly remembers him saying “woohoo better get that shotgun out Andy” We were fortunate to get down to Denton in April 2019 and had a great visit and introduced Bob to watching ice hockey. I will never forget Bobs support and kindness when I was ill and at the passing of my Mom. He was a caring, loving and patient man and will be greatly missed.
We send Condolences to the Cannady family. Bob and I friendship began in 1968 at RAF Mildenhall AFB in England. We flew together in the 10th ACCS (Airborne Command Control Squadron). In 1987 after retirement from military service, we both signed on with FEMA MERS here in Denton Texas. Bob never change from the man I first met in 1968. Always ready to listen and help people if needed. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. RIP my friend.
Carpis and Margaret, I am sorry I did not call back. I appreciate your kind words. I will tell Bob’s family that you remember them fondly.
My Dearest Bob,
I just wanted to say thank you for 15 great years that you gave to my mom!!! You are and were such an amazing man, and you will be truly be missed by everyone. You were so good to me and my entire family. You took us in as if we were yours, and I love you so much for that!
The biggest thing though I would like to thank you for is your never ending love that you had/ have for my mom. I’ll never forget the day you all got married and how happy you both were. I’ll never forget some of the things you said to her on that day, and how cute and in love you both were and always will be.
Bob I’m unsure if I’ll ever meet a man with the integrity, morals, compassion, and love that you have ever again…. If i do well then I guess I’ll be one lucky woman…
I love you Papa! I will never forget you or will I ever want too.
Michelle he loved you as he loved his own daughters. He made a big impact in our lives. He was a very special man who loved unconditionally. Be strong. He is well and pain free.
Love you and your family, mom
Dearest Andy, Brigette and girl’s,
Bob loved our visits to Canada.
He cared deeply for you and your family. Please give all, my love and hugs. Hopefully I will be able to come up in the future. Stay safe and heslthy. God’s blessings
One of the sweetest men I have ever been blessed to know. May you forever rest in peace and watch over your loved ones here on earth. Your departure will undoubtedly leave a space that can never been filled, though your love, kindness, and gentleness will forever live in our hearts.
Thank you Rosie….love to you, Shane, and my granddaughter’s, Kelsey and Shelby and, my 4 great grandboys.
Ole Friend, You will greatly be missed forever. You have made a difference in many lives over the years. I will miss the great times we had in MERS Denton – I could always depend on a smile, a laugh, and a sense of humor every time I walked into the MOC.
May God Bless Your and Your Family
Thank you for remembering Bob. He had high regards for all his FEMA friends. May God bless you.
My condolences go out to the Cannady family.Our friendship began on RAF Mildenhall AFB in England in 1968. We flew together for the 10th ACCS (Airborne Command n control squadron)Our friendship continued when we signed on with FEMA in 1987 and up until now he was still the fun guy I knew then ,always ready to listen and help folks he will be sadly missed, I last spoke to him a few weeks ago and he was on his lawnmower cutting his lawn ,you can,t keep a good man down.may he Rip.
My Dearest Bob,
I just wanted to say thank you for 15 great years that you gave to my mom!!! You are and were such an amazing man, and you will be truly be missed by everyone. You were so good to me and my entire family. You took us in as if we were yours, and I love you so much for that!
The biggest thing though I would like to thank you for is your never ending love that you had/ have for my mom. I’ll never forget the day you all got married and how happy you both were. I’ll never forget some of the things you said to her on that day, and how cute and in love you both were and always will be.
Bob I’m unsure if I’ll ever meet a man with the integrity, morals, compassion, and love that you have ever again…. If i do well then I guess I’ll be one lucky woman…
I love you Papa! I will never forget you or will I ever want too.
RIP, my brother. Will miss the times we had together.
Praying you and Jan had a safe trip home and that you will not be faced with any damage from the Sandy storm. Thank you for coming and may God bless you both.
Marti,
What a wonderful tribute to Bob. He truly was an amazing and remarkable man. It’s been a pleasure knowing you and Bob these past few years. He always brightened my day, I will miss his smile and his great sense of humor. Marti, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Carol for your. Sentiments and prayers.
Dearest Bob,
I will always remember & cherish the fun & amazing adventures we enjoyed together. You & Marti were always troopers & brought a lot of fun to the group!
I will miss your “Hey Baby” & will miss you but know you are now on the best adventure ever! Enjoy till we meet again!
Love Gail Martinez
Thank you Gail for all the new adventures and good times we had on our trips with you. We always looked forward to them. Bob and I always wanted to do one last adventure, but he wasn’t able to travel. We appreciate you and the fun snd friendship we’ve shared.