Cecil Dale Clawson

Dale is survived by his wife, Alice Clawson, and his sons Ricky Clawson, Russell Clawson & wife April, and Rex Clawson & wife Lorilee. Sister-in-Law Lorraine Clawson, Sister-in-Law Judy Clawson, Sister-in-Law NeII Salmon, Brother-in-Law Gene Johns & Sheryl Dietrich, Brother-in-Law Lonnie Johns & wife Dimitra, Sister-in-Law Kathy Sawyer & Husband Cliff Klipse, and Sister-in-Law Barbara Heinzke, along with a multitude of nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews, and a few honorary grandchildren.

Dale himself was 1 of 6 children born to H.E. Clawson & Margie (Hyden) Clawson. Dale loved being part of a big family and keeping up with family reunions for Clawson and Hyden branches each year. Dale was preceded in death by all his siblings: Patsy, Hubert, Nancy, Al, and Joey.

Dale had an 8th grade education. However his real education was from the work ethic passed onto him from his father, who worked extremely hard to provide for his family. If the job paid, he was willing to do it. Dale felt the same way. Dale owned 2 businesses, one as a carpentry framer, building houses. When the economy slumped, he chose something that did not depend so much on the economy or the weather. The other business was solid waste removal. He became... a garbage man. It began with just him and a regular 1-ton truck with side boards, “Old Blue”. He did this with the love & support of his partner in life and work, Alice, and later their sons Russell and Rex.

Dale grew up in a part of Austin called “Rat’s Flats.” it could be rough and that meant fighting. As young as fourteen he was fighting grown men to protect his sisters. Tired of not being able to hold his own against these grown men, he started to study Tae Kwon Do, eventually attaining a brown belt. Even while working as a carpenter, he enjoyed a good “scrap’' at lunch time. Every delivery driver to the jobsite were expected to at least arm wrestle, but a good “scrap” was better.

Dale met the love of his life Alice Johns on August 27, 1966, at the go-cart races held in Austin at south Congress & Riverside. He thought “She sure is pretty!” So, he promptly went and sat on her fender, so she could not leave before he got a chance to meet her. His actions worked and they eloped to Mexico on November 27, 1966. They were now a family of three with Dale’s 2-year-old son, Rick. Just under 2 years later they were thrilled to welcome twin boys, Russell & Rex. Thrilled and surprised because they were not expecting twins. Dale said he never jumped so high in all his excitement.

Dale loved spending time with Alice and the boys, any day off from work was Family Day. He wanted to spend his down time with them, which meant family outings and visiting relatives. Times they truly enjoyed together.

Dale was also a man who was aware of his spiritual need. In the early 1970s he began a deep study of the Bible. He developed a deep love and appreciation for Jehovah God as creator of the universe (Revelation 4:11), the blessings and benefits to those who worship him acceptably (Isaiah 48:17,18) and the love he showed for mankind by sending his son Jesus Christ as a ransom sacrifice for mankind (Romans 8:8) . This moved Dale to dedicate his life to Jehovah God and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses March 3, 1973. Dale made big changes. He gave up all forms of physical fighting and instead focused on sharing what he learned with others. Not only did he volunteer his time teaching others Bible truths he also helped in the construction of several Kingdom Halls. Of upmost importance to him, as a father, was to instill in his sons what he had learned in his study of the Bible. He led by example, in words and in action every day of his life.

Dale enjoyed a variety of interests, including his fondness for old cars. He enjoyed many trips to antique car shows and antique car museums, managing to only bring two antique cars home. Dale also had a never-ending love of building things, landscape projects, and having a mini farm. Whatever idea Alice or he had, there was soon a project started at their home. Sheds, walkways, flower gardens, sidewalks, planting fruit trees, buying and selling cows, catfish in the tank, mini horses, chickens, and trying to grow the perfect tomato.

Dale was also extremely social. Never too busy for some iced tea, playing dominos, telling jokes, or just enjoying time spent with his family and friends, and his precious pets. He genuinely enjoyed meeting people, especially babies and children. He made time for them. To him they were all special. Even as his memory failed, he was always happy to talk to people, even if he couldn’t remember them.

Dale was so much more than a few paragraphs can say. These few have barely sketched a faint picture of all that he was. His wife and sons will miss his love, generosity, friendship, and kindness.

A visitation for Dale will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1010 Black Locust Drive East, Pflugerville, Texas 78660.

Dale’s favorite scripture:

This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God. and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. --- John 17:3