Mark W. Cannon "In Loving Memory"

He was a man who exercised significant influence on all of us who knew him. Mark extended himself in any way he could to give others a chance for learning and experiences. I love him for all he did.

Lucy, Marko, and Kris,
So sorry to hear about Uncle Mark. That picture of him has that so very familiar smile. My heart goes out to all of you! I wish we could be there to give you all hugs and kisses and to shed tears and stories with you!
Love,
Marty

Lucy, Marko, and Kris,
So sorry to hear about Uncle Mark. That picture of him has that so very familiar smile. My heart goes out to all of you! I wish we could be there to give you all hugs and kisses and to shed tears and stories with you!
Love,
Marty

Like many others, I'm so fortunate to have been able to spend some time getting to know Mark and working with him. I'm grateful for lots of fond memories and for his dependable support and enthusiastic encouragement. What a truly wonderful human being.

Good memories from student days at the U. Watched in admiration Mark’s remarkable career. A great contributor . Our best to his family.

Mark Cannon's life has provided monumental service to this country through his competence, connections, gifts of communication, and high idealism. Mark and Betty have blessed our lives through their friendship. We are better people because of his influence and good works.

Please accept my sympathies upon Mark's passing. I was the Supreme Court's fourth "AA", the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice, and knew Mark in that capacity and at many Court social functions after we both left the position. As the first ever, and only AA for Chief Justice Burger, Mark largely created the position and had a huge institutional memory. He was unfailingly courteous and helpful to those of us who followed him, even though, as intended, the scope of the job's duties varied with the needs of the Chief Justice at the time any AA served. The AA job was only a small part of Mark's life and career, but I honor his memory in that regard.

My heart goes out to you. Uncle Mark was so good to us when we were in DC. He impacted many people.
Much love to you.
~Anita & Brad Wiggins

Dear Mark, Lucy and Kristen,
I am thinking of you and the sweet little family I got to live with when I went to BYU. It was fun to be your au pair girl. You are such great kids and I’m sure your dad was so proud of you. He was so full of energy and ideas . I hope he did not have a long time of discomfort before he passed. Please know how much I love each of you and hope that god will be with you at this time. Love, Sandy

We will miss Mark very much. He was always such a pleasure to be around and always had such interesting stories to tell, insight into life and politics, and intellectual opinions. Some of my favorite memories are of my trips to Washington D.C. and Mark's guided tours of Washington and experiencing Washington as an insider. Mark was a kind man with so many lifelong accomplishments.

I was very sad to see the news of Mark's passing. He has long been a trusted friend and adviser, and has been someone who has been a great supporter over many years of religious liberty work I have been so heavily engaged in for the past three decades and beyond. He has always gone the extra mile in attending events, and seeking to find ways he could lend support. He has had an exemplary career and has done much good on many fronts. He will be deeply missed, but I suspect he will find ways to continue lending support, joining with those that made it possible for Elisha to say, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." 2 Kings 6:16. We will continue to need and benefit from his reinforcement. My best to Betty, and to Lucy and Mark, whom I knew as campus bishop.

Hi Kristen and Mark: I’m so sorry to learn of your dad’s passing. I have such fond memories and gratitude for the generous and gracious mentorship and kindness that he showed me almost 40 years ago when I was a young college student with a budding interest in political science and the law. You may recall that he invited me to stay at the family home for several weeks while doing an internship in D.C. that he had also helped arrange. Most importantly, he showed a real interest in me, which was so appreciated. I will always hold a warm spot in my heart for your dad. I hope the two of you are doing well, and would love to catch up sometime.

Warmly,

Marty Banks
(801) 631-2940
Mkbanks@ stoel.com

Sincerest condolences to the Cannon family on the death of Mark, a prominent and high-level federal administrator who served with distinction in both the legislative and the judicial branches of the U.S. Government. I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance in Cambridge when he enrolled in a Harvard program for senior government officials while I was a doctoral student. When I completed my studies shortly thereafter, Mark took the initiative to arrange summer employment for me at the Federal Judicial Center, the DC-based research, education and training agency for the judges and staff of the U.S. Courts. During my subsequent tenure there, he occasionally checked in with me as he did later when I served as the administrator of Utah's federal trial court. I will always be grateful for the interest he took in promoting my career interests. His role as a mentor, fostering and encouraging the careers of young professionals, is legendary as were his skills in managing complex organizations. Utah has lost a favorite son and a humane man of whom his progeny should be very proud. I will always be grateful for having known him.

I admired Brother Mark Cannon for many years because of his great spirit. My friendship with him and Betty was mainly at church, where his genuine interest, love and brilliance never failed to uplift my mind and heart. A truly great person has departed our midst, and I am deeply saddened. My heart goes out to his dear family, of whom I often saw pictures enclosed in his Christmas cards. Brother Cannon, God be with you till we meet again.

Mark was a towering influence on young lawyers and legal scholars. He would invite us to seminars and lunches that he would organize to give us a chance to form life-improving relationships. His influence was inestimable! Dr. Cannon, as we all called him, inspired me to work with Senators to introduce and shepherd to passage the BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION organic Act. In fact, I can recall crafting the first draft of that bill sitting across from him in his Supreme Court office. His contributions to the legal profession and the law itself made clear the moral roots of the legal tree and he himself was one of the most fruitful branches on that tree. 'Til we meet again, dear friend!

TO: Betty S. Cannon and Children

Dear Friends:

I was saddened to read in the Salt Lake papers of the death of my good friend, Mark W. Cannon. I send this condolence to each of you. Mark was a great public servant, an impressive man, and a treasured friend. All of my contacts with him, which were frequent in Washington, were helpful and personally enjoyable. We will miss him.

We know that your faith and love for the Savior will sustain you at this time. Without the hope of the resurrection and a life after death, the loss of a loved one would be intolerable. But knowing what we know about the Lord and His divine plan of salvation helps us endure temporary separation from our loved ones.

We pray that you and your family will find peace, comfort and strength in the remarkable life Mark lived. May the Lord's blessings be with you always.

President Dallin H. Oaks

Mark gave the full measure of himself to all his endeavors and undoubtedly receives the commensurate measure as eternal reward. His full devotion to his religion was inspiring and motivating. He advocated for the disadvantaged and sought out those who needed help. He followed through on providing them assistance, the mark of true Christianity. Mark exuded full confidence in and adoration of the Savior. His infectious love was evident to all. We loved the many times Mark bore his testimony at the pulpit where the corroborating spirit of truth bore witness to his statements and also to the purity of his character. Tom and I will miss this great man. He was a powerful influence for good and we felt that influence right to the end of his life. Love and prayers for Betty and his surviving family.

I was sorry to see where Mark had passed away. I worked with him in Washington in Congressman Henry Aldous Dixon's office for several years. Mark came to see me when my son, Kirk Jowers, came to an open- house for Kirk at the University of Utah. when Kirk started working there. There are many good memories for our association there. Emma Lou Hansen (Jowers). My condolences to you.

Betty,
I just saw Brother Cannon’s obituary in The Washington Post. I was thinking recently about seeing one or both of you at the temple, so I am sorry to learn of his passing.
I pray that your testimony and knowledge of the Plan of Salvation will provide much peace and strength to you at this time of loss. May family and friends surround you to comfort you in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Lanna Smith

Dear Mrs. Cannon, Ann and I saw Mark's obituary in today's Washington Post and send our deepest sympathy. Mark was so vigorous and energetic that this news was a shock. We last saw you, appropriately enough, at the Supreme Court Fellows dinner early this year. That program was one of the many initiatives Mark undertook at the Court. He was the "Founding Father" of the position under Chief Justice Burger that I subsequently held for Chief Justice Rehnquist. Mark contacted me immediately upon hearing the news of my selection and was so gracious in offering his assistance. We so much enjoyed seeing you both from time to time at various Court events throughout the years. His legacy at the Court endures. God bless you and all your family. Noel and Ann Augustyn

It was with sadness as I read the news of Mark's passing but it gave way to a smile for a life well-lived. He was always very kind and generous with me as we worked together at the Constitution Bicentennial Commission. His enthusiastic and vigorous spirit, smiling face, and constant mind for networking shaped me in such a positive way. To all the Cannons, I send my love and prayers, but I know I will see Mark again in a place where smiles mean so much more.

My deepest sympathy's to you Betty and to Mark’s wonderful family. I was privileged to work with Mark at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1979. I will always remember him for his strength of character, his faith, his love of country, and his vision of leadership. He loved the Lord and cherished his family. His compass was his undeniable testimony of the Savior and his love of country. It was a privilege and blessing to know Mark. May all of you feel a spirit of peace and comfort in your time of loss.

Dr. Mark W. Cannon was an intelligent example worth emulating. He was truly an inspiration, serving in high office in all three branches of the U.S. government. As the story is told in Dr. Cannon's own words recorded on his 90th Birthday on the UnitedInstitute.org podcast, he lived an exceptional life that teaches us many lessons. He exemplified exceptional depth of inner strength, integrity of effort, tenacity of purpose, and courage in the face of daunting odds. Not only did he serve as the first incumbent to the position of Administrative Assistant/Counselor to the US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after nearly 40 percent of the Congress opposed the actual establishment of the position he was recruited to fill by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, but he also served as the AA for a member of Congress and the Director of the US Commission on the Bicentennial of the US Constitution.

Earlier in life, Dr. Cannon was called as a Mormon missionary to Argentina before college where he shared his faith and remembered seeing the famed Evita, their late First Lady, in a public gathering. Through providential grace, he once recalled delivering a public Gospel message in another tongue without notes for the non-native English speakers who were present.

Later, Dr. Cannon performed scholarly research resulting in his Harvard Ph.D. with his dissertation focused on the noted public record of service of his grandfather, George Quayle Cannon. He chaired the Brigham Young University Political Science Department and led the Institute for Public Administration in New York. At one point, he was selected to reside at the Historic Frederick Douglass House administered by the National Park Service mere steps from his work on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Cannon mentored a core group of Supreme Court Fellows and Judicial Interns during his 13 years of Supreme Court service when he was annually the only person other than the Justices invited to join the Chief Justice at the annual State of the Union Address by the President in the US Capitol. The Judicial Interns during his tenure sometimes referred to him affectionately among themselves as the unofficial 10th Justice. The Fellows and Judicial Interns who had the honor of working with him in later years informally became known as WEB/MWC Alumni (Warren E. Burger/Mark W. Cannon Alumni). The Alumni would eventually include a prominent media personality--Mark Levin, college presidents, and Harvard Prof. Clayton Christensen who became the most famous business professor in the world after coining the term "disruptive innovation." Dr. Cannon was a positive force who changed institutions and improved the quality of life of countless millions of people for the benefit of all humanity. We thoroughly enjoyed attending the 20th Anniversary of the Judicial Internship program in the Supreme Court Great Hall where Associate Justice Sandra Day O-Connor and Associate Antonin Scalia were also present. Dr. Mark W. Cannon was much loved by people from all walks of life. He was the epitome of a great family man for Betty and his children. Dr. Cannon will be most remembered for his remarkable, kind, flexible, and gracious service to the people of the United States for the glory of God through sincere concern and practical support. We will cherish our memories of Dr. Cannon forever.

Jeffrey G. Nutt, JD, Oxford Fulbright Scholar 1986
Judicial Intern 1984
& Mayra Troya-Nutt, MD, FACOG

Dear Betty,
I send you heartfelt condolences at the loss of your dearest Mark. The world will be more empty without his vigor and intellectual energy. I've missed our days at the Rotunda together. I hope you are well enough.
Love from Donna Lee

I enjoyed the service today though it did make me miss seeing all of you even more. Mark, Kris and Lucy, I have treasured memories with all of you. I will always celebrate the doors your father so generously opened for me, as I know he did for countless others.

Dear Members of the Cannon Family: I was very saddened to learn of Mark's passing - such a good and decent man. I have fond memories of our interactions over the years and the great rule-of-law related work he did for me throughout the world. May he rest in everlasting peace. With deepest respect,

John Jasik
Judicial Liaison
United States Department of State

I am sorry that I just recently saw the notice of Mark's passing. I have only fond memories of him. Best wishes to the family.

To our dear friend, Betty and their children.

May you always know that we will always hold both you and Mark closest to our hearts. You both have been such an incredible example of love and dedication.. We will always have
Love Above All for the two of you.

It is with deepest and profound love that we send this message to Betty, to the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Mark.
Even though we had been out of touch for quite some time, the love we have for you both had never dwindled.
The love that you and Mark shared will carry you until you meet again. Blessed Be💕!