Rev. Donald W. Dawson, Sr., 89, born in Greenwich, CT, retired to The Villages in 2005 from Naples, Florida after a long and varied lifestyle in rescue work. It began as a volunteer ambulance driver in his hometown, continues in the US Navy as an air/sea rescue boat pilot during WW II.
He joined the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad working his way up to Chief Train Dispatcher at New Haven, CT but a massive heart attack he survived abruptly ended that career. This was a defining moment in his life that turned him toward God, to prayer, and in time, to Bible school. Answering God’s call to pastoral ministry was yet another form of rescue work… this time for souls. He started a jail ministry and evangelistic outreach. His latter years were devoted to interim pastoring and Bible teaching emphasizing the message of faith in God’s word.
He leaves his beloved wife Gladys of 65 years; daughter Peggy (Joseph) Michel of Spanaway, Washington; son Wes, Jr. of Naples, Florida; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His firstborn son Gregory Paul preceded him in death in 2010.
Pastor Bob Page, Live Oaks Community Church will officiate at the Celebration of Life service on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral & Cremation Life Event Center, 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL 32162. U.S. Navy honors will be rendered at the private interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.
