E. Curtis Fawson

E. Curtis Fawson SVU President  Beloved husband, father and President of Southern Virginia University passed away on July 1, 2003, due to complications following a recent surgery for gastrointestinal blockages and colon cancer, after a valiant struggle with the disease.  Curtis was born on July 14, 1942 to the late Kenneth and Beth Fawson of Grantsville, Utah and is survived by his wife Dixie; sons Eric (Shannon) and Aaron (Stephanie) Fawson; five grandchildren; sister Peggy Pearce; twin brother Kenneth; and brother Lorell Fawson. Curtis enjoyed a highly distinguished career as an educational and church leader. Following his freshman year at Dixie College in St. George, UT, he was called to serve as a Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western Canadian Mission. Upon successful completion of his mission, he returned to Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Curtis also held advanced degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Hawaii and Utah State University where he was awarded a Doctorate in Education in 1984. His professional career included teaching positions at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the University of Oregon and Brigham Young University Hawaii Campus, followed by administrative positions in the State of Utah, BYU Hawaii and Provo and finally at Southern Virginia University (SVU) in Buena Vista, Virginia. Dr. Fawson joined SVU as provost and executive vice president in January 1998 and was later appointed President of Southern Virginia University by the Board of Trustees in August 1999. The school supports the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is a four-year coeducational university. Curtis also has a number of books and articles to his credit and received many awards for his contributions to the fields of education and library science.  Curtis has held many positions of responsibility in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including High Councilman, Stake Young Men's President, Bishop and Stake President. He has touched the lives of countless individuals he considered friends and family wherever he went in the United States, South Pacific and China where he traveled extensively. He will be greatly missed by family members he leaves behind and those who have come to know and love him. A viewing for President Fawson will be held at the Walker Mortuary from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 11 at 587 South 100 West in Payson, UT. A viewing will also be held the following day from 9:45 to 10:45 prior to the funeral services at 11:00 a.m. in the Mountain View Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 75 South 600 East in Payson. His burial will follow the funeral and will be in the Payson City Cemetery. A memorial service for the local area of Buena Vista, VA, where Southern Virginia University is located, will also be held at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the Dr. E. Curtis Fawson Scholarship Fund at Southern Virginia University, One University Hill Drive, Buena Vista, Virginia 24416. Checks should be made to Southern Virginia University with the name of the scholarship fund in the memo line.