Holton Joseph Gannon Sr.

Holton Joseph Gannon, Sr. passed away at home on the farm with family by his side on Saturday, October 14, 2017. He was 88. Born on August 17, 1929, in Cordova, MD, to the late James Leo Gannon, Sr. and Ethel M. Rhodes, Holton lived a long, happy, fulfilled life. He was raised with his twelve brothers and sisters and graduated in 1948 from Cordova High School. He began working for DuPont in Seaford, DE. Drafted into the Army, Holton served during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, then returned home to Cordova and began his career in farming by working on his father’s farm. On May 1, 1954, he married the love of his life, Kathryn Schauber of Chestertown. They would live in Cordova until they moved to a family farm on Murphy Road near Ingleside, MD, in 1956. Buying their first farm together in 1964 on Roe-Ingleside Road, Holton farmed it until 1980 when they purchased their last farm and built their home on Roberts Station Road near Church Hill. They resided in this home together and Holton continued to farm, harvesting his final crop on his final day. In addition to farming, Holton worked for the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education as a maintenance supervisor and a school bus driver, retiring in 1988. A very close second to farming, Holton enjoyed racing horses and owned, bred, and trained standardbred horses from 1969 to 2004. He took pride in the fact that his horses made history in the industry, and he could share this joy with several of his brothers and his sons. He also enjoyed bowling, dancing, playing cards, and consuming his favorite homemade foods like ice cream, white potato pie, boiled apple dumplings, and cherry topped cookies. He enjoyed time spent in Florida with his wife, Kathryn, as they would travel down in the winter and stay with various friends and family. Over the past two years, his grandsons and sons would spend a week at Disney with him. He was able, with the help of the grandchildren, to check off some of his bucket list items by sitting on the sidelines of an NFL game and driving a Corvette. He took great pride in the successes and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, including the military service of three of his grandchildren. He made many good friends as a member of the Ruritan Club and as an active member of Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church. He gained pride and enjoyment from maintaining the Catholic cemetery in Church Hill, where many of Kathryn’s family are interred. Holton leaves behind his very devoted wife, life-long partner, and love of 63 years, Kathryn Schauber Gannon. This bond was a true testament of love. His six children with their spouses: Joe and Sue Gannon, Loretta Gannon, Bradford and Ellen Gannon, Lawrence and Betty Jane Gannon, Monica and Kip Matthews and Wanda and Shane Hampton shared many good times with their father and benefitted from the love and wisdom he provided. His 17 grandchildren, their spouses, partners and children will forever have Pop Pop’s love and memory to keep him alive in their hearts, including Matt, Becky and Ben Gannon; Chris Gannon; Ian Denis, Elaine, Bradley and Rylie Barbarick; Dr. Sara, Shawn, Connor, Caleb, Owen, Natalie and Andrew Martin; Lauren Gannon, Britney Gannon, Jackie, Dana and Julia Sells; Spc. Lindsey Gannon, Rachel Gannon, Josh Gannon; Marlo, Nick, Cole and Olivia Coppage, Mark, Sarah and Liberty Wade, Michael Wade and Emily Murray; Bob Ford and Tom Ford. His first grandson, Brian Denis, passed away tragically three years ago, but always said, “Pop Pop is superhuman. He doesn’t ever let anything stop him, he just keeps going.” This is the model he lived, he never stopped. As one of thirteen children, Uncle Holton enjoyed visits from numerous nieces and nephews, especially the regular dinners with niece, Veronica Lee, and friend Charlie Callahan. He served as the patriarch and stand-in father for many years after his brothers would pass. Holton is also survived by his sister, Regina Russ, whom he has always credited with getting him through school, and his youngest brother and sister, Mary Jo Jump and Vincent Gannon. Completing the surviving family members are sisters in-law Barbara Gannon, Phyllis Gannon, and Kathryn’s sister, Betty Glen, and brother in-law, George Glen. Holton’s previously deceased siblings are Anna Mae Rash, Eugene Gannon, William Gannon, Sr., James Leo Gannon, Jr., Clara Herzog, Franklin C. Gannon, Sr., Ethel Marie Dudley, Robert Gannon, Sr. and Edwin F. Gannon. Family and friends may pay respect on Friday, October 20, at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home in Centreville, MD, from 6 – 8 pm. Services will be held at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Centreville on Saturday, October 21, at 11 am. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Queenstown, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to Compass Regional Hospice, 160 Coursevall Dr., Centreville, MD 21617.

Holton Joseph Gannon Sr.

August 17, 1929 - October 14, 2017