Phillip Lamar Dawson Sr.

DAWSON,
PHILLIP LAMAR SR. - Age 64, lost his valiant battle against Huntington's Disease on September 4, 2011, at his home. Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy Dawson; and his sister, Christie Dawson Lake. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Boland-Dawson; his son, Phillip L. (Theresa) Dawson, Jr.; his daughter, Alicia Martindale; his stepdaughter, Kristin K. (Todd) Mason; grandchildren, Jaydon and Ben Wessleman, Jocelyn and Alaina Martindale, Phillip L. Dawson III (TRIP) and Rose Dawson, (a soon-to-arrive new baby granddaughter, whom Phil may meet and hold for a moment in Heaven before she comes to join her family here.) Phil was born in Peoria, Illinois and moved to Jackson, MI with his parents and sister in 1954. His background included growing up in Jackson and then earning a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Michigan State University, and service in the United States Army, where he held the rank of Captain. Phil was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity-Gamma Kappa Chapter, and the Country Club of Jackson. After his military discharge, Phil joined the small family business, Dorothy Dawson Food Products, which his parents had begun. Through his well-known drive, the utmost determination, and constant plain hard work, Phil and his loyal crew grew this manufacturing company of primarily dry commercial bakery/ breading mixes, into a nationally distributed and well-respected organization. He had recently handed over the reins of the business to his son, P.J., now third generation owner. Phil was known as a tough, focused, respected, and disciplined man with a sardonic sense of humor, who loved his daily nine mile runs; his thundering red 1965 Shelby Cobra, and flying his plane at every spare moment. He was also known for his unfaltering generosity to friends and family, and his support of many worthy causes and organizations. This man touched the lives of a tremendously diverse range of people. He fought to his last moment against the terrible disease that was his personal adversity with courage and pure stubbornness from the moment this affliction manifested and crept into his life. He never showed fear. He never gave in. He was the epitome of bravery. At this time, the family would like to extend their heart-felt gratitude to a wonderful group of dedicated, compassionate caregivers and friends, who over the years have become more like family, Clotese Hobbs, Mark Fleming, Mike Kofflin, Barbara Keith, Stephanie Altenberger, Tracey Landon, Vicki Desy, Ryan Hoffman, Josh Sturgill, Bryce Toman, Mike Strzyzewski, Doctors Clark Conant, Edward Robles, and very special friends, Les and Mary Shearer, Jim Fowler, Earvin Williams, Connie Lucia and Jean Wright. And, of course, the entire crew of Dorothy Dawson Food Products. Visitation will take place on Thursday, September 8, 2011, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wetherby Funeral Home at 402 Wildwood Ave., Jackson, MI with services being held Friday, September 9, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church, 275 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson, MI at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Edward Ross officiating. Interment will follow at Roseland Memorial Gardens, 3744 Brooklyn Road, Jackson, MI. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607. Friends may send their condolences or share a memory with the family at wetherbyfuneralhome.com. www.Mlive.com/obits WETHERBY FUNERAL HOME 517.787.7511 wetherbyfuneralhome.com