Wright State mourns passing of former trustee, Honorable James Cannon

The Wright State family is mourning the Honorable James F. Cannon, former Wright State University trustee and alumnus and retired Dayton Municipal Court judge, who died Friday, Nov. 5, after an extended illness. He was 79.

Funeral services for Cannon will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 12 at Salem Church of God.

Cannon was appointed to a nine-year term on the board on July 25, 2008, by Governor Ted Strickland but stepped down a year later, in August 2009, because of illness. He resided with his wife, Anita, in Dayton.

A two-time alumnus of Wright State, Cannon earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1973 and a master’s degree in social and applied economics in 1974. He completed both degrees in just four years, after having enrolled at Wright State at the age of 39. One of nine children, Cannon’s first chance at college came after retiring from a distinguished 20-year career with the U.S. Air Force.

“Wright State is proud to have been an important part of Judge Cannon’s life, one that touched the lives of many and left a lasting impact in his service and dedication to the Dayton community,” said Wright State University President David R. Hopkins.

After graduation, he worked briefly for the city of Dayton before returning to law school at the University of Dayton in 1978. He began his law career in the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office and continued it with seven years of private practice.

In 1987, Cannon was appointed to the bench. He was then elected to three, six-year terms as Dayton Municipal Court judge and served as administrative judge of the court from 1992 until his retirement on December 31, 2005, at the age of 74.

Numerous community and civic organizations have recognized him for his professional success and his commitment to service. He served on the university’s Community Advisory Board for University College, as well as the School of Professional Psychology Advisory Board. In 2000, he won the Outstanding Alumni Award from Wright State’s Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center and Office of Alumni Relations.

“Judge Cannon served our university well, in his contributions to our advisory boards and Board of Trustees, and also in his constant presence at our basketball games,” Hopkins said. “He will be missed.”