David Gannon

David L Gannon, 78, of Overland Park, KS, passed away August 30, 2018

Dave was born to Raymond and Charlotte Yeager Gannon, April 12, 1940, in Flint, MI.  He was a natural born athlete, excelling in football, basketball and baseball in high school and college.  Dave married his best friend, Carol Noe, in 1961.  Soon after, Dave began his military career in the US Army and served twenty-two years as an officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.  During his service to his country, he endured two tours in Vietnam, spent four years at the Pentagon, commanded the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry at Fort Riley, KS and later shared his military knowledge and experiences as an instructor at CGSC at Fort Leavenworth, KS.  Included among his many awards are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star V (3 oak leaf clusters) and the Purple Heart.  After retirement from the Army, he worked fourteen years at Deluxe Check Printers in Kansas and Oklahoma.  Dave was a vigilant blood donor and remained dedicated to working out at the gym for many years.

He received his BA from the University of Delaware in 1962, and while serving his country, he received a master’s degree in International Relations from Kansas State University in 1974.  While at Delaware he became a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Dave was a true patriot and an avid Detroit Lions and University of Michigan fan.  Go Blue!

He is survived by Carol, his devoted wife of 57 years.  He leaves as his legacy three sons; John (Randee), Jeff and Joel (Marnie).  Dave also leaves to cherish his memory three siblings, Bob (Kyle), Mike and Barb Joseph (Bob); four grandchildren; Elizabeth, Grant, Gwendolyn, Greyton and one devilish great grandson Eli, in addition to many nieces and nephews, whom he adored.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Fred Gannon.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, October 6, 2018, at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park.  The family will receive guests at 10:00 a.m. and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m.  At a later date, Dave will be laid to rest at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or the Alzheimer Association at act.alz.org.

Carol would like to thank the staff at Saint Luke’s South Hospital for their compassionate care and continuous support of Dave.