James “Verl” Dawson, age 80, son of Harley and Letha Williams Dawson was born June 19, 1928, in Houston, Mo. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on Aug. 6, 2008 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo.
Verl is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Garold Dawson, and one sister, Lois Nelson Wilson.
He married the love his life, Cleda “June” Smith on Dec. 24, 1951, in Mountain Home, Ark. To this union two children were born.
Verl is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, June; one daughter, Ann Long, and her husband, Terry; one son, Steve Dawson, and his wife, Terry; four grandchildren: Ryan Long and his wife, Michelle; Dane Long, Derek Dawson and his wife, Reta; and Stefanie Dawson; four great-granddaughters: Mackenzie and Haley Long and Taylor and Zoey Dawson.
Verl was a wonderful Christian man who was a long time member of Central Baptist Church. He was the Sunday School secretary for 30 years and a trustee. He loved his church family. He and June were always there whenever the doors were open.
He served his country in the U.S. Army for two years. He worked at Brauer Brothers Shoe and then Brown Shoe Co. in Cabool for 38 years. He was fondly known as “Jake” by his co-workers. He enjoyed working on any vehicle that needed something fixed, all the time patiently teaching his grandsons as they worked along beside him. They had many good times learning to drive in “Sluggo.” After his retirement, he enjoyed tending his beloved horses, riding them every day the weather permitted. He was a member of the Twin River Trail Riders and the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. He was a regular for morning coffee with the guys at Hardee’s in Houston. He still went to Cabool regularly for coffee with his friends there. He always kept a well-tended yard. “Mom” planted the flowers and he kept them watered.
Verl loved his family dearly. He truly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved taking the girls out to the barn to see the horses, check on any new kittens and to skip a few rocks.
Verl was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend. He will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He has taken his final trail ride home to meet his Heavenly Father.
Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Cemetery or Texas County Hospice of Care. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
Services were 2 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 12, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Houston with the Rev. Ed Hamilton and the Rev. Harold Smith officiating. Pallbearers were: Ryan Long, Dane Long, Derek Dawson, Kenneth Dawson, Tyson Troutman and Bill Sponsler. Burial was in Central Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
PAID
