Charles Knight Dawson Jr.

Charles “Charlie” Knight Dawson Jr., 84, of Glendale, AZ, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin was called to our Heavenly Father on April 27, 2016. Charlie was born on his dad’s birthday, July 28, 1931, to Charles Knight Dawson Sr. and Hazel Adelaide Dawson who preceded him in death. He was raised in Portland, OR and graduated from Commerce High School in 1949. In 1950, he attended Eastern Oregon College in La Grande, OR, where he met the love of his life and wife of 63 years Sarah Ann Faris. Charlie served with the US Navy during the Korean War. Upon returning from service, he embarked on a successful career in sales. He joined Traffic Safety Supply Company in Portland, OR where he served as President until retiring in 1989. In retirement, Charlie served as president of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) where he testified before Congress on highway and work zone safety. Charlie was instantly likeable. You knew that when he looked you in the eye, shook your hand and smiled that it truly was his pleasure to meet you. This quality and his positive outlook made him a highly successful businessman, but his greatest joy was his grandchildren John, Sarah, Benjamin, Brianna and Emma Gilchrist, Marty Bowe, and Sadie Dawson each of whom have wonderful memories of their grandpa. Charlie is survived by his loving wife Sarah, sister Diane Schulz, sons Rick, Dave, Steve (Mary Bowe) and daughter Debbie (Tom Gilchrist). Services will be Tuesday, May 3, 2016 11:00AM at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. Burial with military honors will be held at 1:00PM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix. Donations may be made to your local Salvation Army.