Robert Dawson Jr.

1935 - 2021

Robert Grady Dawson, Jr.
February 11, 1935 - August 9, 2021
Durham, North Carolina - Robert Grady Dawson, Jr. 86, a long-time resident of Croasdaile Village Retirement Community, died August 9, 2021 at Hospice House in Burlington.
Born in Garland, NC into a Methodist minister's family, he grew up in Mount Olive, Burlington, Raleigh, Sanford and Fayetteville. He graduated from Fayetteville High School and Duke University, with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. He began his career with the NC Department of Transportation in Raleigh as a Planning Engineer. He traveled statewide looking for sites to build new highways and bridges. He earned his registration as Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor. After 33 years, he retired as head of Feasibility Studies.
A long-time resident of Raleigh, he was an active member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church. For years he was member and treasurer of the North Raleigh Civitan Club and a member of the Raleigh Area Institute of Traffic Engineers. He did volunteer work for the Wake Council on Aging and Meals on Wheels. He was also an avid fisherman and golfer. He moved to Croasdaile Village Retirement Home in Durham in 2001, where he lived for the rest of his life. While there, he served in Durham's Meals on Wheels and Croasdaile Village's Few Chapel as treasurer, usher and greeter.
He is survived by his sister, Mary H. Dawson of Croasdaile Village.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 46 years, Pattie Leach Dawson, and later, a close companion, Frances T. Gibson of Croasdaile Village until her death in 2016.
A celebration of Christ's Resurrection and Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance will be held in Few Chapel at Croasdaile Village on Saturday, August 21 at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. J. Milton Hadley and Croasdaile Chaplains officiating. A family graveside committal led by his cousin Russell Stott will follow at a later date at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson where he will be buried beside his wife in the Leach tract.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the United Methodist Retirement Home Foundation, Suite A-500, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham, NC 27705.
Arrangements are provided by Thomas Yelverton Funeral Home in Wilson, NC. Condolences may be made at www.thomasyelverton.com.