Henry Eugene "Gene" Dawson

1928 - 2010
Born November 16, 1928 at home.
Died November 16, 2010 at home.
Gene was the second of seven children born to Nelda and Fred Dawson. His formative years gave him a desire to work; milking cows, plowing fields, all chores as he attended a one room school with his siblings and cousins.
As a teenager, he rode his bike into the Woodland Truck Stop and began his passion with the trucking industry. In May 1947 he came to Redding with friend, John Adair, where he introduced Gene to Vivian Lack of Shasta County Pioneer Families.
His passion and knowledge with all phases of Kenworths will be recognized for time to come. He was past president, General Chairman, chair of committees, and consultant for the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference.
Customers consult him as he was so specific in the frame, engine, brakes, every aspect of the "big rigs". He often said, "I don't know about a lot of things, put 18 wheels under it and I'll tell you all you want to know". His retirement in May 2005 was not easy, but the informal group, "The Tuesday Lunch Bunch" was so important to him. On November 8, 2010 he was honored with a luncheon as trucking friends gathered, he enjoyed that.
He belonged to Redding Elks 1073, Shasta Historical Society, Masonic Reading No. 254, Northern California Shrine Club and the Trinity Lutheran Church.
During the late 60's and early 70's he spent wonderful times Pheasant Hunting near Woodland with his two sons, Tim, Ted and his brothers. The annual deer hunt to Glasgow, Montana was a highlight, but in 2008 when son, Ted, shot a Buffalo was his favorite and final trip. Gene was past president and lifetime member of the Redding Gun Club, with competition shooting all over California and in Sparks, NV.
Travel to the British Isles, The Scandinavian Countries as well as the Canadian Rockies, with a tour group including his grandson, TamLin and many trips with Ed and Marge all over the US by car, but his favorite was a cruise through the Panama Canal in 1998. His last trip was in July to No. Bend, WA as nephew, Joel and Mary Adams held a Dawson Family reunion.
Many family and friends recall gatherings at the cabin, 10 acres above Shingletown, on TamLin Pond. We celebrated all holidays there which he liked. But he enjoyed cutting wood, "work", his kind of play with son Ted, grandson TamLin or alone.
He leaves, his wife of 62 years, Vivian, of Redding, son Ted, of Shingletown, grandson TamLin, in college in Ashville, NC, brothers Dick (Wauneta) of Bonners Ferry, ID, Bob (Martha) Gerald (Patty), of Woodland, CA, countless nieces, nephews, cousins associates in the trucking industry and shooting and his Cairn Terrier, Baxter.
His son, Tim preceded him in death, as did his parents and three sisters.
Donations may be made to Mercy Hospice, 1544 Market St, Redding, CA 96001., Haven Humane Society, P.O. Box 992202, Redding, CA 96099-2202 or a charity of your choice.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday December 1, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church 2440 Hilltop Dr, Redding, CA.