John Joseph Dawson

1934 - 2018

John J. Dawson
October 12, 1934-January 22, 2018
John J. Dawson ("Jack"), 83, died at his home Monday, January 22, 2018. Jack often said that everyone has a story, and it is always one worth telling. This is Jack Dawson's story.
On October 12 (the day he liked to say that all great things were discovered), 1934, John J. Dawson, Jr., was born in Baltimore, Maryland, son of Rev. John J. Dawson, Sr., and Ida Dorothy (Abbey) Dawson. The son of a Methodist minister, Jack, his older sisters Ida and Nina, and younger brother Walt moved frequently but spent most of their childhood in and around Baltimore and Annapolis. Jack graduated from Baltimore City College, then studied Education/History at University of Maryland, College Park, earning his B.A. in 1956. In his youth, Jack felt the call to follow in his father's footsteps and join the Methodist ministry, leading him to earn his Master of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, D.C.) in 1959.
While attending a regional Methodist Youth Conference in 1952, he was struck by the beautiful blonde from Cumberland, Maryland, who was offering the prayer. He leaned over to his friend and said, "One day I am going to marry that girl." That girl was Marlene McGraw. They were married at her home church on August 31, 1957 (John J. Dawson, Sr., officiating). That same year Jack was appointed to his first church, Lodge Forest Methodist Church, in Sparrow's Point, MD. While there, their first child, Deborah Lynn, was born. Jack was so successful in building a new church at Lodge Forest, that in1961 he was sent to serve and build a Christian Education Building at Glen Mar Methodist Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. Their two other children, John Wesley and Catherine Marlene were born there.
June 1969 marked a turning point in the lives of Jack and Marlene and their three children. From his earliest childhood listening to The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke on the radio, Jack had a love for the west and all that it represented. In early May he got a phone call about an opening at the First United Methodist Church in Boise, Idaho. After searching for Boise on a map, he and Marlene flew to Boise to see the church. By mid-June, they had packed up the family and all their belongings, driven across the country, and pulled into to Boise, their new home. They never left.
Two years after accepting the appointment of Associate Pastor at the "Cathedral of the Rockies," the Bishop decided to appoint him Senior Pastor at a church in Portland, Oregon. With a wife, three children, his mother to support, and no home, Jack, with the support of Marlene, made the difficult, life-changing decision to remain in Boise. This decision meant leaving the active ministry and starting over in a new (he had no idea what) career. That summer, 1971, he was hired by the recently built Mountain States Tumor Institute in a new position entitled "Clinical Counselor." His role was to work with the medical team at MSTI to examine the emotional and psychological aspects that affect patients and their families when there is a cancer diagnosis. This was, at that time, a groundbreaking approach to the treatment of cancer patients and their families. The results of much of Jack's research and work with patients at MSTI are documented in his 1978 book, The Cancer Patient.
Working daily for years amidst such suffering and death took its toll, and in 1977 Jack (with Marlene, as always, at his side), went out on his own and formed the Patient and Family Support Institute. While continuing to specialize in working with the terminally and chronically ill, he was also able to expand his practice to work with individuals and families outside the medical setting. Throughout the years, Jack never left his call as pastor. This was a part of him, it came as naturally as breathing. He sometimes filled in for other pastors; he conducted funerals for anyone who asked; best of all he performed countless wedding ceremonies. He loved bringing people together and being a part of families, helping to guide them through their best and worst of times. He also devoted time to his other love—that of teaching. He taught courses in counseling and health sciences at The College of Idaho, Boise State University, and spoke before numerous public and private organizations.
On the eve of his 60th birthday, Jack felt called to the active ministry again. May 22, 1994, a fellowship, christened "Light of the Cross" opened its doors. Serving this church was one of the high points in his rich, adventurous, and full life. Jack served at Light of the Cross until his formal retirement on October 12, 2014 (his 80th birthday).
Survivors include Jack's wife, Marlene; his children Deborah Bonde, Wes, and Catherine (David) Martin; his sister, Nina (Walt) Dennison; grandchildren Wesley and Elizabeth Martin, Dawson and Jack Bonde; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ida Bernard, and his brother Walt.
Services, under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, will be Friday, February 2, 3:00 PM, at First United Methodist "Cathedral of the Rockies" in Boise, Idaho.
Because of Jack's love for Boise, its people, and all that it has to offer, the family asks that memorials be made to a local charity or organization of your choice.