Claude Frank Cannon III

Claude Frank Cannon III, affectionately known as “Bubba,” was born on August 3, 1945, in Houston, Texas, and passed away on March 8, 2026, in Lometa, Texas. A devoted educator, horseman, and man of deep Christian faith, Bubba lived a life that blended the spirit of the cowboy with a genuine calling to teach, coach, and serve others. He taught high school science and agriculture, coached basketball and football, and served as a college rodeo coach. He was also a skilled horse trainer, farrier, and rodeo announcer. As an ordained minister and deacon, he faithfully served his church and community throughout his life.

A proud graduate of Texas A&M University and Sul Ross State University, Bubba shared his knowledge and his love of horses with countless young people. He taught each of his daughters to ride and passed on his horsemanship skills to his oldest grandson, J. Dallon, and his nephew, Wes. In recent years he took up leatherwork, mastering the craft of restoring western saddles and tack. He found great joy in the publication of his first book, the Christian devotional “Trail Markers: Along the Way to Life Everlasting Vol. 1,” through which he shared his faith and his gift for writing.

Bubba is survived by his four daughters, Stacy Cannon, Laura Staples and her husband Jess, Mica Hicks and her husband Jason, and Sunni Cannon and her husband Eugene Drepaniotis; six grandchildren, Ross Staples, Dexter Staples, J. Dallon Cannon, Rachel Hicks, Grady Hicks and Abby Hicks, Ebe Drepaniotis, and Eli Drepaniotis; his sisters, Claudia Baker and her husband John, and Shirley Rogers; and many nieces and nephews, including Lisa Day and Robert Byers, Kurt Day, John David Baker and Colette, Caryn Baker, Frank Baker and Angela, Chance Webb, and Wes Webb. He was preceded in death by his father, Claude Frank Cannon Jr., his mother, Bettie Cannon, and his sister, Jacqueline Day.

Those who knew him will remember a man whose steadfast faith in Jesus Christ and lifelong passion for horses left a lasting mark on everyone around him. His spirit endures in the hearts of his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.