Charles S Dawson

Charles "Chappy" Seward Dawson, 92, of Clearwater, FL, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026.
He is survived by his son, Chuck H Dawson, & daughter in law, Brenda Mickey of Columbus, OH; daughter, Leslie Dawson of Clearwater, FL; granddaughter, Shelby Dawson Coddington, and husband Joshua of Bowling Green, KY; niece, Tami Berry, and nephew, Scott Berry, both of Tylertown, Mississippi. Finally, his two beloved cats, Tigger and Princess, grand-cat Boris, and grand-dogs, Skipper and Nugget.
He was preceded in death by his former wife, Nina Scoville Dawson (2023); sister, Mary "Lynnie" Berry (2016); and brother-in-law, Jon Berry (2016).
Chuck was born on November 18, 1933, at White Cross Hospital in Columbus, Ohio—now Riverside Hospital—to Charles Watts Dawson and Florence Louise Bickmore Dawson. He graduated from Bexley High School in 1952 and attended The Ohio State University, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and served in the Ohio Air National Guard, attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant. He later graduated from the University of Miami in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in business.
He began his professional career at Honeywell and ultimately retired from General Motors' Oldsmobile Division. A lifelong car enthusiast, Chuck continued to follow the industry long after retirement.
Over the years, he lived in Monroe and New Orleans, Louisiana, and Memphis, Tennessee, but spent much of his life in Columbus, Ohio (Upper Arlington), where he raised his children, Chuck and Leslie. In 1993, he retired to Clearwater, Florida, where he lived for more than 30 years and built lasting friendships with neighbors in his condo community on Island Way.
A proud Buckeye fan, Chuck loved boating, bicycling, and collecting watches. He had a sharp wit, a big heart, and a deep love for animals—especially cats. An early adopter of technology, he enjoyed listening to Pandora on his iPad and was often moved by the theme from "Somewhere in Time." He was also deeply patriotic and looked forward to Fourth of July celebrations, whether watching fireworks from his boat near Memorial Causeway or enjoying televised displays in later years. He appreciated traditional patriotic music and modern tributes alike, including "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.
In his final years, Chuck was grateful for the companionship he found at his assisted living community and among his friends at 700 Island Way. The Dawson family extends heartfelt thanks to all who visited, called, and shared messages that brought light to his days.
To honor his life and the things he loved, a Celebration of Life gathering will be held in the coming months. If you would like to receive details, please text 727-580-7777.