Lawrence G. Cannell

Dr. Lawrence (“Larry”) George Cannell passed away at home in Burley, Idaho on April 8, 2017, at 89 years of age. He was born in Smithfield, Utah on June 17, 1927, to George Chester Cannell and S. Melba Greene Cannell. He was raised on the Cannell family farm west of Smithfield with his younger brother Darwin.
After graduating from North Cache, Larry attended college at USAC (“USU”) and graduated with a BS degree in Chemistry in 1949. He then served a two year LDS mission to Southern California and for a time traveled “without purse or scrip” under President Oscar McKonkie. After his mission, he returned to USU and obtained a Master of Science degree in Chemistry in the fall of 1952. He then went on to Penn State University and obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry. He was awarded the prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship in the field of Chemistry by the National Science Foundation in 1955, which allowed him to move to Cambridge, Mass. and complete his studies at Harvard University. He and Truman Madsen were roommates there and became fast friends. They loved discussing Gospel principles on a highly intellectual and deeply spiritual basis.
Once he finished his fellowship at Harvard he was hired by Shell Oil Company and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. There he met his sweetheart Betty Jo Nielson. Prior to their marriage, it was discovered that Betty Jo had breast cancer. Afraid that she would not be able to give him the family they both wanted, Betty Jo offered to call off their engagement. Being the man that he is, and having spent nearly 20 years looking for the love of his life, Larry exclaimed “No! We will marry and make our eternal family with whatever time we have.” They were sealed in the Logan Temple on December 29, 1964 and were blessed with three children by loving adoption between 1966-69 (Steven, Ruth, and Brian). Larry and Betty Jo were thrilled to have their family sealed to them and were blessed with time added. The young Cannell family moved to Houston, Texas in 1972, when Shell Oil transferred headquarters. Sadly, Betty Jo succumbed to cancer soon after on October 7, 1973.
While continuing his brilliant professional career as an analytical chemist, Larry balanced his numerous church and family responsibilities as a single parent. During this same time period his first cousin, Vern J. Waters, was tragically killed in a farm accident in Burley, Idaho, leaving behind his wife, Nora Fay Curtis Waters, and their four young children (Charee, Shane, Jason and James). Tragedy and a hope for a brighter future brought these two families together. Larry and Nora were married on July 16, 1977, and Nora moved her family down to Houston. Larry and Nora met the challenges of a blended family head on and raised their children with faith and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their home and lived it. It was a modern day miracle they made it through, especially having seven children who were all teenagers at the same time! To their parents’ credit, each of the children remain close and loving today without the need to refer to each other as “step”… just “Mom, Dad, sister, and brother.” They are simply brothers and sisters, children of wonderful parents, bound together by love having overcome heartache to become a FAMILY these past 40 years.
Larry retired from Shell Oil in 1986, after nearly 30 years of service, and continued to live in Houston. During this time Larry and Nora continued to serve in many church callings with a special call to serve as an LDS missionary couple with the local Vietnamese branch. Larry loved missionary work…he loved people…he loved his Lord. As they were aging, Larry and Nora moved to Burley, Idaho in December 2014 to be close to Shane and Jason and their families. They all lovingly cared for Larry at home until the very moment he passed.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Betty Jo. His wife Nora survives him with their children: Steven Cannell of Houston, Texas, Ruth (David) Henderson of Katy, Texas, Charee (David) MacDonald of Lafayette, Colorado, Brian (Diana) Cannell of North Logan, Utah, Shane (Heather) Waters of Burley, Idaho, Jason (Cherie) Waters of Burley, Idaho, and James Waters of Houston, Texas, and 18 wonderful and cherished grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Darwin (Pat) of Smithfield, Utah, together with many nieces and nephews and their families; and many of Nora’s and Betty Jo’s extended families...ALL whom he dearly loved.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 14, 2017, at noon in the North Logan Stake Center at 2750 N. 800 E., North Logan, Utah, with Bishop Eldon Peterson of the Elk Ridge Ward officiating. There will be a viewing Thursday, April 13, 2017, from 6:30-8:30pm at Allen Mortuary of North Logan at 420 E. 1800 N, North Logan, Utah. There will also be a viewing at the North Logan Stake Center prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:30am on Friday.
Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net . In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity or special cause of your choice.
Sincere love and appreciation is expressed to all those that have supported Dad these past few years and especially to Hospice and the funeral homes involved these past few days. Additionally, the family expresses love and appreciation for all of the kindness and service that has been and continues to be rendered by so many others (too numerous to name).