Charles Arthur "Art" Cannon

Art Cannon passed away at home in Delta, Colorado under the care of HopeWest Hospice. He was 97 years old.

Art was born in Grand Junction, CO to Charles Christian and Daisy May (Howden) Cannon. He was raised on a farm and would have graduated GJHS in 1946, except he joined the US Navy and had a tattoo on his arm to prove it. His first claim to fame was tending the farm animals aboard the USS Salt Lake City en route to the atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 1946. He then attended University of Denver, graduating with a BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1953. He began working for a Delta, CO engineering firm in 1951. In 1962 he formed Morcan Engineering with Larry Morrill. He did everything from designing water systems to surveying uranium claims until 1979. He completed over 50 rural water systems throughout Colorado and New Mexico. His premier project was Tri-County Water Conservancy District, which he oversaw from conception in 1965 until completion culminating with the dam dedication at Ridgway Reservoir. He was Manager of Tri-County Water from 1979 until his retirement in 1994. During that time he was a director of the Colorado Rural Water Association as well as Colorado’s Representative on the National Rural Water Association Board. He served on the Colorado River Conservation District Board and Colorado Water Conservation Board. In addition he was a member of the Colorado Water Users Association and of Colorado Water Congress.

On September 15, 2024, Art celebrated the 70th anniversary of marriage to Gwen Smith of Delta. They were blessed with 3 children, 2 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren who live in the area and were an important part of his daily life.

Art is survived by wife Gwen, daughters Christine VanVerth and Ceresa Grammer (Billy), daughter in law Jodi Cannon, Granddaughters Larissa Hill (Scotty) and Shayna Kinderknecht (Jonathen) and Great-grandchildren Sadie May, Arctin Eugene, Nelson Charles and Iliam “Liam” Shane Kinderknecht and several nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by parents Charles and Daisy, sister Charlotte Hovey and son Sidney Shane Cannon as well as most of his cherished friends. Art enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping with family friends, car racing in his youth, supporting his son’s motocross and hillclimb racing, Ute Trails Car Club, restoring a 1934 Nash Brougham as well as collecting multiple classic cars. He was a volunteer and board member of the Delta County Museum.

Graveside Service: 9:30AM, Saturday July 12, 2025, Delta Cemetery, 1055 E 3rd St, Delta CO.

Arrangements are under the care and direction Crippin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to Delta County Historical Society, 251 Meeker Street, Delta CO 81416. Obituary can be viewed at www.crippinfuneralhome.com