James Leon Cannon

James Leon Cannon was born July 6, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois to the union of James Cannon, and Gladys Cannon. He was the oldest child of James’, and Gladys’ 4 children (Debra, Larry and Valerie). As a young man growing up in the Ida B. Wells Apartments, James’ entrepreneurial spirit led him to be a newspaper boy and to run his own snowball stand. There was also a side of James that was fun, humorous, and adventurous. His lifelong love of chess was where you could find his competitive and champion spirit. James attended Holy Angels Catholic school and graduated from Doolittle Elementary School in 1970. He subsequently attended and graduated from Wendell Phillips High School in 1974 with honors. James received a full scholarship to Park University in Missouri, while later transferring to Eastern Illinois University where he earned his Bachelors’ degree in Communications in 1978. James later attained a Masters’ degree in Psychology from Chicago State University in 1980. That same year he married Jacquelyn (Tate) Cannon, with whom he fathered two daughters, JaShawn and JaNae. He had 2 additional children Latoya Miller (Shirley Miller) and Mario Washington (Lolita Junior). Upon completing his education, James immediately began his work in underprivileged and disadvantaged communities by passionately supporting families while working at the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Very soon after that, he realized that these system structures would not be able to create the change that he envisioned was necessary. Thus began his lifelong journey of community activism, cultivating the independence of community members through self-sufficiency. Throughout his career, he partnered, networked and forged relationships to create opportunities in workforce development that will continue beyond his lifetime. His roots were embedded in workforce development by way of the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, Phalanx Family Services and Anchor Mortgage Company. He aligned these values in organizations such as Wine Psi Phi Social Fraternity, Incorporated and Eastern Illinois University Black Student Union. Of the numerous organizations and associations with which James was involved, none occupied as important a role in his life as Phalanx Family Services. The legendary job development work that he performed for the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Office of Employment Services in the 90s, helped lead to the formation of Phalanx Family Services in 2003. James maintained his relationship with Phalanx throughout his years as a workforce development consultant right up to his passing. For nearly 20 years, James presented the organization with thousands of job opportunities, several significant public and private sector relationships, and millions of dollars in grant funding, living up to his credo of “making it do what it do.” Still striving to “make it do what it do”, and against strong medical advisement, James would frequently come in to the office at Phalanx in the midst of his battle and severe medical condition. Although James valued his independence and autonomy above all else, James always thought of Phalanx as a second home and second family and his behavior showed it. Along with his biological family, Phalanx Family Services carries on his legacy. While James was making it “Do what it Do” over a game of Bid Whist, his lifelong past time, he met his final love on New Year’s Eve in 2015, Patricia (Henderson-McCreary) Cannon. They married November 1, 2020. James valued and appreciated family and loved to spend his time with his mother, 5 grandchildren, siblings, children, and cousins whenever he could. And though he had many family members and friends to love and care for him over the years, Pat and his sister Debbie were instrumental is his final months of life, offering continuous comfort, care and support. James accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized later in life, yet he accepted, believed and confessed Jesus as Lord! He concluded his journey as a member of Frontline Favor Ministries, where he declared his daughter, Rev. JaShawn Hill as his pastor and fiery preacher in his life. James was preceded in death by his parents, James Sr, and Gladys Cannon, his son Mario Washington and nephew, Alfonso Frencha II. James’ legacy continues through his wife Patricia, 3 loving daughters, JaShawn (Lavell), JaNae, Latoya, 3 loving siblings, Debra, Larry, Valerie, 5 amazing grandchildren, Michael, Josiah, Joshua, Landon Moses, Chloe, and stepson, Brandon McCreary. His nieces and nephews held a special place in his heart, along with a host of cousins, other relatives, friends, 2 sisters in-law and 2 brothers in-law.

James Leon Cannon

July 6, 1956 - July 20, 2022