Peyton Canary Obituary (1926 - 2020)

Peyton Henry Canary III, age 94, passed away October 17, 2020 in Cedar City, Utah. He was born in Washington, Indiana on April 12, 1926 to James Monroe Canary and Marguerite Branson Canary. He attended three high schools during his four years and graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1943. He went on to graduate from the University of Florida with a BA in Political Science in 1950. Peyton served in the US Army during three different enlistment periods. He spent one year overseas in Japan after WW II had ended. He also served at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky. During the Korean War, he was stationed at Camp Cooke, California, as well as seeing combat in Korea. While enlisted, he worked as an editor and reporter for the Stars and Stripes newspaper. After discharge, he met Beverly June Bosworth in Phoenix, Arizona and they were married there on June 16, 1957. During their time in Arizona, Peyton worked as the public relations director for the Kennecott Copper Mine. Always an accomplished wordsmith, Peyton returned to journalism and worked as a reporter for both the Desert Sun in Palm Springs and the LA Times in California until his retirement in 1977. Peyton was a lifelong learner and an avid reader and writer right up until his death. He is fondly remembered for his quick wit, appreciation of art and music, and his storytelling abilities. He is preceded in death by his firstborn daughter Cynthia, who died of an accident in 1966, and his beloved Beverly, who died in 2011. He is survived by his daughter Carolee June Abbott and son-in-law Ken Abbott of Palo Cedro, CA, and his son Peyton Monroe Canary and daughter-in-law Adriann Canary of Cedar City, UT. He leaves behind twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A small memorial service with veteran honors will be planned for a later date under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Peyton Henry Canary III, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.