Joe Cannon: A longtime bank president in Blackwell, Cannon in 1981 ran for mayor of the town and was elected, serving for three years. He served as bank president until selling the bank in 1991, when he joined the faculty at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa.
Although he had been praying that a good leader would come forward, Joe Cannon was not expecting what happened next.
"I guess you've got to be ready to say yes when He points the finger at you," he said later.
In this case, Cannon said, God just flat-out told him, " 'You're supposed to run.' "
A longtime bank president in Blackwell, Cannon in 1981 ran for mayor of the town and was elected, serving for three years.
He had always tried to heed divine nudges, and they would keep coming.
In 1991, it led him to start a new career - with Oral Roberts University in Tulsa.
For Cannon, who brought along a wealth of real-world experience, the business of being a business professor would turn out to be a pleasure.
Joe Berry Cannon died unexpectedly Monday at his home in Tulsa after teaching classes earlier in the day. He was 77.
A service is set for 10 a.m. Friday at St. James United Methodist Church under the direction of Hayhurst Funeral Home of Broken Arrow.
Although he came to academia later in life, it was clear that Cannon had found a great fit.
"Being able to teach young people, drawing on his own life experiences and combining it with the Bible - I mean, even at 77, he had no plans to retire," said his son John Cannon.
"And I think if you asked him, this is how he would've wanted to go: at the podium, or at least still active."
A native of Ponca City, Cannon was a graduate of Oklahoma State University and held a law degree from Oklahoma City University.
While in college, he worked three years for the Defense Department and the USO.
Singing and playing the trumpet at USO shows in the Far East, Europe and the Caribbean, Cannon also handled business director duties for the tours.
Later, after marrying and completing his education, he moved to Blackwell, where he bought First National Bank.
He served as bank president until selling the bank in 1991.
In addition to mayor, he was a leader in other areas of the Blackwell community, serving as president of the chamber of commerce and taking active roles with the local United Way chapter and the Kiwanis Club.
By the early 1990s, Cannon had decided it was time to get out of banking. So he sold the bank and began applying for teaching jobs.
He had shown a talent and interest for it previously, teaching groups of Christian business leaders as a longtime member of Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship.
After joining ORU, he continued to have ties to the banking field, including as a board member of Stillwater National Bank, a post he held for 52 years. He was on the board of Stillwater-based Southwest Bancorp for more than 30 years.
Cannon was a 32-year member of the state and national Bar Associations.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Beverly Cannon; two sons, Joe Cannon II and John Cannon; a daughter, Courtney Megli; and eight grandchildren.
Friends are contributing to the Little Light House in Tulsa.
Tim Stanley 918-581-8385
tim.stanley@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Longtime ORU professor made service his business
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