John "Jack" Dawson

John “Jack” Dawson, 79, passed away July 23rd after courageously fighting with Multiple Sclerosis for more than 50 years. He was at his home in Chandler, Arizona with his family present. Jack was born February 19th, 1936 to John and Myrtle (Heinis) Dawson on their family farm near Washta, Iowa. Jack graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1954, and served in the 86th Army Infantry in Germany.

Jack and Sharon Lage met and married on August 30th, 1958 in Marcus, Iowa and stayed partners for 57 years. They moved to Arizona in 1963 and were blessed with two children, a daughter Kristi and a son Kent.

Jack is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Kristi and her husband Doug Wilkinson, and his son Kent and wife Erika Dawson. Jack also has six grandchildren that he truly adored Conner Wilkinson, Alex Wilkinson, Makenzie Wilkinson, Justin Dawson, Darren Dawson, and Jessica Dawson. Jack is also survived by his sisters Darlys Stevens of Washta, Iowa, Audrey Pitts of LeMars, Iowa, and his brother Tom and wife Doris of Washta, Iowa, sister-in-law Joanne Dawson of Cherokee, Iowa, brother-in-laws Jim and his wife Betty Lage of Mesa, Arizona, and Don and his wife JoAnne Lage of Omaha, Nebraska. Jack also has three special aunts, June Davis, Edie Sand, and Toppy Wetherell in Iowa. There are also numerous nieces, nephews and great friends he had over the years. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jim, and two brothers-in-laws Carl Pitts and Ronald Stevens.

Memorial services will be held at Valley of The Sun Mortuary in Chandler, Arizona, on August 1st at 1PM, and a later burial in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona. There will also be a memorial service at the Methodist Church in Washta, Iowa, on Saturday, September 5th for his extended family and friends.

In Lieu of Flowers donations may be made to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of Jack.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate