Gordon Cannell

In loving memory, the beloved Retired Army Major, Gordon Cannell passed away prematurely Friday night, December 19th after battling cancer. A Vietnam veteran who spent 22 years in the Army, Gordon was born in Bridgton, Maine in 1941 where he lived prior to joining the military. Upon his retirement from the service, he settled with his family in El Paso, TX where he continued a new career in Civil Service at Ft. Bliss. After his second ‘retirement’ he and Lee, his wife of 48 years, purchased and re-established Border Hose Supply in El Paso as he was unable to stay inactive continuing to search for challenges. Selling the company allowed Gordon to retire for the third time in 2014. A tremendous sports fan, particularly with football and basketball, Gordon could often be found at home rooting for the New England Patriots, along with the UTEP men’s and women’s basketball team. But sports were just entertainment, not a hobby, as his true love was traveling around the US visiting family and friends and seeing sights he always wanted to experience. His family will always remember his generosity, from never turning family away when in need to always having an open house where his children and their children could come spontaneously and enjoy large family meals, catch up with each other’s lives, and maybe end up playing cards. An accomplished cook, Gordon always tried tweaking his recipes in order to continue his mastery of the BBQ grill. His church family at University Presbyterian found Gordon as a regular fixture each Sunday and throughout many special events. His faith kept him and his family strong throughout life’s daily struggles, and helped him stay grounded with what he believed were the appropriate priorities in his life, God / Family / Country. Gordon is survived by his beloved wife Lee, his daughters Lisa and Loran, and his grandchildren, Matthew, Tim, Brittany, Gordon, and Lianne. He will be missed greatly. God just received a good one. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to University Presbyterian Church – Feed the Mission Fund. Services will be held on December 23, 2014 at University Presbyterian Church at 2:00PM. Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at 10:00AM at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, with full military honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please visit our online guestbook at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net