Robert Channon

Colonel Robert Irving Channon, 99, passed away on April 16, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1925, in Syracuse, NY and was a long-time resident of Virginia Beach, VA, and 14-year resident of Birmingham, AL at Galleria Woods and Cahaba Ridge retirement homes.

He was the son of Hiram Bingham Channon and Helen Spare Channon, and was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Carolyn Denson Channon, and one son, David Allen Channon. He is survived by his three children, Robert I. Channon Jr. (Mardelle), of St. Petersburg, Florida, Mary Beth Channon Howell (Donald), of Alexandria, Virginia, and Carolyn Channon Bennett (Don) of Birmingham, AL; and his six grandchildren, David Channon, William (Sydney and great-grandson, Henry) Channon, Sarah Howell Gerhardstein (David), Carrie Culwell (Adolfo-fiancé), and twins Alex and Davis Culwell.

Bob graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1946 and served a distinguished 30-year career, retiring as a Colonel in 1976. Bob was an Airborne Ranger and fought in Korea, where he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After serving in the Pentagon, Bob had a 27-month tour of duty in Vietnam from 1971 to 1973. He also served honorably at CINCLANT and with joint forces at Langley AFB. Bob was an Eagle Scout and led many scouts white water trips during his retirement as well as serving two terms as President of the Korean Rangers in Combat Association (RICA) and in 1996, he was inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, GA. He was a devoted husband and father and trusted and caring friend.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 24th at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, Hoover, AL. Visitation will start at 9:30 am and service will be at 11:00 am. Burial with military honors will be at 2:00 pm in the Alabama Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Montevallo, AL. The funeral service will also be live streamed below and will be available for viewing at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite animal or military charity.