James Cannon, 58, died suddenly while at work June 3, 2024 in Laramie, Wyoming. James was born in Virginia Beach, VA in 1966 but grew up in Hemet, California.

James was adopted at 12, but had reconnected with his birthmother Carol Wade later in life. At age 17, he moved to Wisconsin to attend New Tribe’s Bible Institute. He later worked on the ocean as a Merchant Marine engineer for 11 years from Seattle, Washington always staying connected to Wisconsin. He remained in Wisconsin until he left to work at Iris Ministries Mozambique, Africa January of 2007 where he met his wife Jannie Cannon from Denmark. James and Jannie were married October 25, 2008. Together they served with Iris Ministries for 6 years before moving to Eswatini (Swaziland), Africa in 2013 where they served with Challenge Ministries for another 5 years. James and Jannie left the mission field and lived in Denmark for two years working at Acts Academy, (Bible College) before moving to America in 2020. They stayed in Wisconsin for 3 years before making a move to Laramie, Wyoming of August 2023

James left an impact all over the world and truly walked out the Great Commission by demonstrating the love of Jesus to everyone he met. He was an expert encourager and made it his mission in life to be a father to the fatherless always sharing the love of Father God. Daily asking himself, “Who is the one who needs to hear from heaven today?”

James has been a lover of motocross since he was a young boy and the weekend before his passing, James and Jannie enjoyed riding together in the beautiful surrounding of the Snowy Range Mountains, Wyoming, looking forward to many more of those trips together. 

James is survived by his wife Jannie Cannon. His two birth sisters Joyce Davis and Prudence August, adoptive sister Janelle Ward and adoptive brother Jeff Cannon, and adoptive parents Leonard and Lela Joan Cannon along with several nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life for James at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 28 at Rock Laramie Church in Laramie, Wyoming. A reception will follow at the church.