Robert E. McCann Jr.

Robert E. McCann Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in Sugar Land, Texas on June 21, 2017 at the age of 89. He was known as “Bob” to his friends’, “Sonny” to the rice industry, and “Sonny Boy” to his family. Robert was born on November 12, 1927 in Lake Charles, LA to Robert E. McCann and Lucy G. McCann. He attended LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, LA before enlisting in the Navy in 1945. While serving, he met Dolores A. VanArtsdalen, from NJ, when hitchhiking back to base. They were married at the Treasure Island Naval Base in California on September 14, 1947. Bob and Dolly shared a wonderful life of 69 years together.Their passion for golf had them traveling all over to play rounds with their closest friends and they were members for 35 years at Sugar Creek Country Club. Bob worked at Uncle Ben’s from 1951 until 1979, when he then left to become the Executive VP and CEO of Affiliated Rice Milling, Inc. until retiring in 2000. Sonny continued serving after retiring, as a board member of Rice Belt, Inc., from 1982 until his death. In 1984, Robert served as President of the Rice Millers’ Association. During his career, Robert received presidential appointments to serve as a member to the National Advisory Committee to the U.S. Department of Agriculture under two U.S. Presidents – Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. One of Bob’s proudest achievements was traveling the world for 28 years as a continuously elected Director of the National Trade Association representing the U.S. and the Rice Industry. Robert is preceded in death by his parents Robert McCann and Lucy G. Krause, his step mother Ida McCann, his brother Howard Ray McCann and his daughter Karen McCann Smith. Robert is survived by his loving wife Dolly McCann, daughter Regina Henning, daughter Melissa McCann & husband James Nevins, and son Robert E. McCann III & wife Kathryn. His grandchildren include: Shannon & Mike Edwards, Shane Henning, Carlie & Will Kreig, Jeorg-Ann Nevins, Aubrey J. Nevins, Lauren McCann, Elise McCann, Julia McCann, Richard D. Smith Jr., and Rebakah & Blake Leudecke, in addition to 9 great grandchildren. Other surviving family members include: sister Nancy M. Landry of Houston, TX and brother Judson Hugh McCann II , sisters: Barbara M. Lester , Dora M. Kline and Julie K. Des Ormeaux all of Lake Charles, LA. A memorial is scheduled for July 15, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Settegast Kopf Funeral Home in Sugar Land, Texas with a reception to follow. Pastor Patrick Kelley from River Pointe Church will officiate the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to:The Michael J. Fox Foundation for the research and cure of Parkinson’s Disease, or to River Pointe Church.