Cover photo for Harold Kannarr's Obituary
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1932 Harold 2016

Harold Kannarr

May 8, 1932 — January 17, 2016

Harold Eugene "Hal" Kannarr, 83, of Davis died at home on January 17, 2016. The oldest child of Harold S. and G. Grace (Brown) Kannarr, he was born on Mother's Day, May 8, 1932, in Topeka, Kansas. "Gene," as his family called him, put himself through Kansas State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Technical Journalism.

Hal served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Over his career he was stationed in Maryland, Hawaii, Brooklyn, Okinawa, and Virginia, as well as serving tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam in the 1960s. Hal was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Joint Services Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Aircraft Crewman Badge.

Following his retirement from the Army, Hal worked for the Redwood City Board of Realtors and then as Operations Director for the Blue Devils Parents Association. The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps perform and compete internationally and Hal followed and rooted for them long after his retirement.

An early introduction to photography led to a lifelong passion. Before entering the Army, Hal owned a photo studio and decades later still set up his equipment to take portraits of his children and grandchildren, ignoring their loudly voiced grumbles. It seemed at family events he always had a camera in his hand, a habit he passed along to his children.

Music was always a part of Hal's life. He played the trumpet in his youth and then gravitated to stringed instruments. After moving to Hawaii he developed a lasting love for the ukulele, frequently playing one of his prized Kamaka ukuleles for his children and grandchildren.

After retirement, Hal immersed himself in family history, primarily on a vain quest to determine the origins of his last name. He discovered distant relatives all over the country and enjoyed making contact to extend his family tree.

Family was extremely important to Hal. He went to his grandchildren's plays and graduations and had been looking forward to seeing his grandson Travis graduate from college in May. Though spread around the country, Hal kept in touch with everyone, becoming the family Facebook stalker and learning to text so he could communicate with his teenage grandchildren. He had particularly enjoyed starting 2016 with the whole family for his son Galen's wedding. Hal is survived by Shirley, his wife of 43 years; four children -- Galen (Beryl), Tina, Tracy, and Cheri (James Cubbage); his sister, Sheryl Hogue (Larry); five grandchildren -- Alisha and Travis Kannarr, and Fiona, Kieran, and Gillian Cubbage; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Ralph, and his sister Georgia Mae "Patty."

Hal's remains will be laid to rest in the Davis Cemetery District on January 30, 2016, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association and the Kansas State University Foundation.

Previous Events

Graveside
Saturday, January 30, 2016
10:00 AM
Davis Cemetery

820 Pole Line Road
Davis, CA 95618


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