Family and friends are mourning the loss of Kelly Canon, who passed into the arms of the Lord on Monday:
It is with deep sadness that we report that our dear sister Kelly Canon fought a good fight and is now resting in the arms of her savior Jesus Christ.
The family is devastated and are still trying to come to terms with this new development. We will keep you posting on arrangements. Please know that we feel the love you have all been sending and thank you for your continued prayers during this difficult time.
Friends across Texas are also remembering Kelly’s fierce dedication to the cause of liberty in the state she was proud to call home.
As an activist, Kelly is best known for leading a successful grassroots effort to ban red-light cameras in her home city of Arlington. Yet her activism spanned more than a decade of local and state political involvement.
In 2014, Kelly was recognized by her peers with one of the first Texas Conservative Leader Awards.
But she didn’t rest on her laurels. Kelly continued to fight for and inspire her fellow Texans.
Many other conservative leaders shared their remembrances:
“Texas lost a great patriot today with the loss of Kelly Canon,” said Dana Waller Harris. “If you are thankful that red light cameras are no longer a money-sucking nuisance in Texas, you’ve got Kelly to thank for that. She was relentless in her pursuit to see individual liberty prevail and to stop intrepid government overreach. Her departure from this earth leaves a huge void in the fight for freedom.”
“We lost another great patriot today: Kelly Canon, The Slayer of the Red Light Cameras,” added Mike Openshaw. “A huge loss to the DFW conservative movement.”
“Kelly Canon will be missed,” said Maggie Wright. “She worked every day to defend liberty! There is an empty place here on earth, but heaven gained another soul!”
“You were loved by many and you won’t be forgotten,” Maggie added.
“Kelly was a true warrior for liberty!” said Mike Olcott.
“You will be missed by many,” added Kelli Cook. “Your fire burned bright.”
In 2018, Kelly told Texas Scorecard one of her favorite volunteer jobs was campaigning for State Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R– Arlington).
Tinderholt wrote Monday:
Today we lost a good friend and Patriot, Kelly Canon. Kelly was affectionately known as my “campaign co-manager.” She was an original member of Team Tinderholt back in the very early campaign days when we used to meet upstairs in my home.
I was honored to work with her during the past 8 years, pushing Conservative Republican priorities. She was smart, kind, loyal, dedicated and a hard worker. She helped to defeat red light cameras and helped get many conservative candidates elected to office.
“I truly feel if it was not for her help, I would not be in the position I am in now,” he added. “For that, I am forever grateful.”
The activist friends she fought with every day are also grateful for Kelly’s help and support.
Calling Kelly one of Texas’ “toughest grassroots conservative bulldogs,” Scott Osborn said she was his “go-to” when he needed help understanding a piece of legislation and “a huge help many times over the years, as she could always navigate and explain so well.”
“She leaves a gaping hole where she stood and fought to keep Texas, Texas,” he said.
“Texas and the United States have truly lost a great one,” said Jake Wilson. “For those of us still on earth for the time being, her passing should inspire us to do our part to improve our state and nation.”
Kelly would be happy to still be inspiring others.
“I guarantee you, the hard work does pay off,” she told Texas Scorecard in 2018. “But you have to be willing to do the hard work. Don’t wait for the other guy to do it. You do it. Be an example for others!”
Kelly was an example for many—a happy warrior whose work helped and inspired so many other Texans.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7
