Eulogy
Dennis Ray "Tex" McCannon
1942 - 2007
On my honor
I will do my best
To do my duty to God
And my country
And to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
Mentally awake
And morally straight.
A Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent
This is what Dennis McCannon taught.
This is the way Dennis McCannon lived.
This is who Dennis McCannon was!
It's my honor to be asked to speak about our friend and partner, Dennis McCannon.
There is so much to say about this good man that it is difficult to know where to begin. I'm reminded of the first lines of the book "Love Story;" a 60s movie that those in the same age range as Dennis will recall. It starts, "What can you say about a twenty-five year old girl who died? That she was beautiful and brilliant. That she loved Mozart and Bach, The Beatles, and me." Well, Dennis wasn't 25. He was 65, and much more complex than any of the characters in that movie, so there is a lot to say. After many starts I tore it all up and decided to start at the end and work from there.
Dennis had a fatal heart attack as he was picking up his grand children at school. He died doing what he loved for those he cherished. Just before that he was at the scout office working on advancement for his Scouts who shared in that love and were indeed cherished by Dennis and by Pam. This past weekend he was at Camp Karankawa serving on our Wood Badge Staff with people who he loved and who loved him in return. There was lots of love in this mans life and it is truly a love story.
This fine man was not only a great scoutmaster as we all know, but he answered the call in many other ways as well. He was Lodge Advisor for our Order of the Arrow Lodge and served as board member of our council's Executive Board. He spent several summers on our summer camp staff. Back when he worked for Xerox, he frequently stopped by the office to see if anything needed fixing. His service to others was extraordinary.
Three years ago we started a new program for "at risk" children who participate in our Learning for Life character education program used by title-1 elementary schools. Debbie Dunn, our director needed a few volunteers to work with and introduce about 130 kids to the outdoors in 2005 when we first invited the schools using this program to bring their students to Camp. I suggested Dennis and he jumped at the chance to be of further service in this way. In 2006 we had over 1,900 kids over 7 days and Dennis helped with them all. This past spring we renamed the event "Character Camp" and over 17 different days, Dennis helped us serve over 4,300 kids. And that was on top of all that he is so well known for.
Yesterday, as I drove up to camp I was thinking about Dennis and what I might say. As I passed Edroy, I thought of the hundreds of trips he made on this same road, all for the love of Scouting. As I parked by the training center I thought how strange it would be without Dennis. Florencio Hinojosa, Cubmaster of Pack 93, who had just taken Wood Badge, was the first person I saw as I approached the training center. I said "It's sure hard being here without Dennis." He looked at me funny and said… "Oh, I think he is here." And so he is, for all of us. Dennis made a tremendous impact and he is one of those who will be remembered with a smile and whose spirit will continue to be our companion any time we need him.
Dennis sent a lot of ripples out through the world! He sent 60 Eagle Scouts and hundreds of other Scouts who, although not Eagles carry the well learned values of the Scout Oath and Law. His influence on the character of thousands of boys and girls and young men and women is immense.
Dennis's priorities were obvious and admirable.
1. Family first! He adored Pam and his children, and he cherished his ten grand children
2. Dennis loved God and this Church.
3. Dennis was absolutely "called" to Boy Scouting. It was his ministry. Was it an effective ministry? Just ask the folks, young and old, in uniform who are here.
4. Dennis loved this country and never let a Scouting occasion go by without honoring our flag.
I am certain he believed this: "A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different, because I was important in the life of a boy." And what a difference he made!
Some of you may remember when one of Dennis's mentors, Hank Deschner, died in 2002. Hank and Dennis had two things in common in their passing. The last songs that they sang were exactly the same; The Wood Badge Song and Scout Vespers. "Back to Gilwell, happy land I'm going to work my ticket if I can." And did he ever work his ticket! The last song, Scout Vespers, closed many meeting and campfires.
Hank Deschner wrote his own feelings in "word pictures" about Scout Vespers. I'd like close with those words which illustrate the feelings and experiences that all of Dennis's Scouts, family and Scouting friends shared with him.
SOFTLY FALLS THE LIGHT OF DAY---
"Day is done. A brilliant sunset. The nighthawk soars through the sky chasing an insect. Venus stands out like a huge sparkling diamond in the last glimmer of the evening sky. The cool air has a certain freshness. Up above, a billion stars light up the Milky Way, which looks like a huge glittering cloud."
"The campfire is lit, the flames leap up like red and yellow dragon tongues. The feeling of warmth, the smell of smoke, excitement, laughing, cutting-up. It's nice around a campfire. Skits, stunts, jokes, some good, some bad, all of it, a lot of fun."
AS OUR CAMPFIRE FADES AWAY
SILENTLY EACH SCOUT SHOULD ASK,
HAVE I DONE MY DAILY TASK ---
"Campfires burned down to a mound of glowing embers, a crackle, a small flame shoots out, burns and dies. The dragon tongue is tamed. A slight breeze, a puff of smoke. Thoughts that wander… Home… the patrol… Scouting. Sharing the load is very important, not only in chores around the campsite, but also in developing skills and leadership. To be of service to others."
HAVE I KEPT MY HONOR BRIGHT,
CAN I GUILTLESS SLEEP TONIGHT---
"On my Honor" so goes the first challenge of the Scout Oath. You start out with a clean slate. Dirty it and it can never be completely clean again. Guard well this most precious personal treasure. With honor, one need never fear if he seeks the truth."
HAVE I DONE AND HAVE I DARED,
EVERYTHING TO BE PREPARED----
"The challenge to do your best, to learn to excel, to dare to reach out, to strive in every effort to reach one's full potential. To be prepared, both in mind and body to weather the storms of life, and to succeed because you were prepared."
Dennis has been important in the life of many boys and the world is far better because of his time in it. He was prepared in this good life and I trust he was well prepared for the one that's come.
All of us extend our condolences to the family of Dennis McCannon… and at the same time, we rejoice with you… knowing that if there is sorrow today… it can only be for ourselves. For, through our faith, we know that Dennis is very much alive… and has simply outrun us to our Father's house.
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