Thomas Francis Canning Iii

Tom was born in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts to Thomas F. Canning Jr. and Grace Curry Canning and passed away at home in Ridgecrest, California on Saturday, February 27, 2021. Tom was 93 at his death and leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Evelyn. He leave on brother Harry (Jean) Canning of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. Another brother Richard (Betty) Canning predeceased him. He also leaves two children Peter (Angelika) of Grand Junction, Colorado and Amy (Larry) of Kansas. Also surviving are his three stepchildren, Jim Bumgardner (Sherri) of Stateline, Nevada, Cathe Pool of South Lake Tahoe, and John Bumgardner of Carson City, Nevada plus three grandchildren.

Tom served in the US Army at the end of World War II, assigned to Quartermaster Corps in MD to muster out the veterans returning from overseas, and was discharged in December 1946. He attended Yale University and graduated June 1950 with a BE in Chemical Engineering. Tome worked as a chemical engineer for Merck & Co. and also worked for National Research Corp before moving west. He accepted a job with American Potash in Trona, CA and moved his family to Trona in May of 1958 where he worked for Ampot as a chemical engineer. He officially retired in March of 1991 from Kerr-McGee (which had replaced American Potash). He then served as a part-time consultant for Kerr-McGee until August of 1994.

Tom and Evelyn loved to travel and traveled the world, going on close to 30 cruises to the five major continents and on the five major seas. Tom's interests outside of engineering included genealogy, bowling, yard landscaping, photography, woodworking and carving. The family will have a private memorial service in the future.

If anyone would like to make a donation please make it to LIFELINK HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE, 211 W. Foothill Blvd suite B, Glendora CA 91741.