Anthony James Dawson

ANTHONY JAMES DAWSON

January 29, 2005 - November 13, 2025

Anthony James Dawson was born on January 29, 2005 in Colorado Springs where he was welcomed into this world by several members of his family, including his mother Marci, and his big sister, Matalynn. In 2008, his role in the family changed to "proud big brother" when his sister, Myleigh, was born. Anthony departed this life on November 13, 2025 at the tender age of 20 years old.

Anthony was a precocious child, always exploring and trying to figure out how things worked. He was also often very funny, even at a young age. When he was about four years old, he traveled with his family to Walsh, Colorado to stay with Papa and Nana for a couple of days. Anthony raced through the house looking in every room and came back asking Nana, "where is your swimming pool?" Nana couldn't figure out why he thought there would be a swimming pool inside the house, but then she realized that it was perfectly logical to Anthony because most often their visits took place at a motel suite in Colorado Springs, where the kids always looked forward to swimming in the indoor pool.

A couple of years later, Anthony was convinced that he was destined to become a parkour champion. At the park playground in Calhan, he would excitedly race from the swings to merry- go-round to slides to rock walls and beyond, swinging, bouncing, and jumping to demonstrate his athletic prowess! According to Marci, his life's dream included being a vigilante crime fighter, a cross between Spiderman and Batman, so he could save the world.

In typical superhero fashion, Anthony was a bit of a daredevil and had a tendency to rush headlong into adventures. Unfortunately, he was also somewhat accident prone, so sometimes his exploits had unintended consequences. His mother and sisters have many fond memories of his younger years, and enjoyed recounting several such incidents.

One remembrance they had, involved a small glass of white wine vinegar that Marci had on hand to cook with. Anthony had poured some into a "fancy" glass with a stem and was pretending he was going to drink it. Apparently he was thinking that it was going to taste like the sparking grape juice that Marci let the kids toast with on special occasions. Marci had warned him to put it down several times, but he kept teasing her by bringing the glass to his lips like he was going to drink it. Just as she decided to take it from him, Anthony downed the entire contents of the glass; promptly losing his ability to breathe. His mother immediately grabbed him up to wash his mouth out, so he could breathe again, but his sisters were horrified as they looked on because they were convinced that she was trying to "water board" him as a punishment for drinking alcohol!

Another time, while camping at Yogi Bear Campground near Larkspur, Marci and the kids, including Anthony, Myleigh, Matty, and Davyn Ervin, had a fire ring burning to make s'mores. While they were sitting there, Anthony told the group that he thought the rocks around the campfire would make good hot massage rocks for giants. He picked one up to demonstrate how it might work, but then had to swiftly chuck it behind him as he became painfully aware that the rock was so hot he couldn't hold on to it, let alone think about massaging giants with it!

Anthony became the man of the house at a young age, and it was a duty that he took very seriously. It was important to him to care for and protect his mom and sisters, as well as his close friends and their families. His family appreciated his efforts and was proud of his determination to be "the man." An example of his desire to care for his people was when Anthony was in high school. Zayden, Rae's younger brother, along with other 2nd graders Anthony looked out for and their classmates had a wish list for the scholastic book fair, but no one had purchased any of the books for them. So, having saved up some money, Anthony used it to purchase books for the whole second grade class. The students all wrote him thank you notes and he saved them and took pride in them.

Anthony and his high school girlfriend, Mariya James, became parents on April 9, 2023, when their son Andrew James Dawson was born shortly before their high school graduation. Anthony said the proudest moment in his life was when his son was born. Andrew was the apple of his eye and Anthony took great pride in taking care of and providing for his son. He had often told his family that he really wanted to be a father. After the couple split, Anthony and Mariya shared joint custody of Andrew, a responsibility that Anthony took very seriously, keeping Andrew and caring for him at least one half of each week.

During high school, Anthony attended a co-op program between Miami-Yoder High School and Pikes Peak Community College to become a certified welder. His skills were put to good use when he and his best friend since sixth grade, Raedyn Lawrence, started a business called "Rusty Bucket Welding" just before their senior year. Prior to that, in February 2021, the pair entered a project in the Pikes Peak Regional Science and Engineering Fair at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, and won the 2nd place Sr. Biochemistry and Chemistry Award for Outstanding Effort and Scientific Achievement. Their project subsequently earned the Colorado State Fair Invitation Award for Outstanding Effort and Scientific Achievement.

Sometime later, with his son's well-being in mind, Anthony left the business partnership for greener pastures, but he had recently returned to work for Rae. Rae said that Anthony was his right-hand man, and he worked very hard to help build the business. Rae and Anthony worked together doing various types of welding and construction work until the time of Anthony's death.

Anthony became romantically involved with Marylou Farnish in the fall of 2023. Anthony and Marylou had a long history together, as she had been one of his best friends since the fourth grade at Miami-Yoder Elementary School. Anthony and Marylou enjoyed being together and shared many fun experiences with each other and Andrew. The couple was focused on being a family and had future plans to be married.

Everyone who knew Anthony agrees that he dearly loved his family and friends, just as his family and friends dearly love him. He touched many lives during his short time here on earth, and he will be missed by all. His family will especially miss his presence and his big hugs.

Anthony is lovingly survived by his mother, Marci Dawson of Calhan, Colorado; son, Andrew Dawson, and fiancé Marylou Farnish of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sisters: Myleigh Dawson of Calhan, Colorado, and Matalynn Ervin, along with husband, Davyn, and their children, Monty, and Sasha of Ft. Meade, Maryland; grandparents: Terri Richardson of Calhan, and Peter and Donna Dawson of Walsh, Colorado; aunts: Nicki Black of Calhan, and Jennifer Hudson and husband Beau of Nevada, Iowa. Anthony is also survived by several aunts, uncles, many cousins, other family members, and a host of friends.

A Life Celebration will be held at a later date. Once the time and date have been determined, please join the family and share your memories of Anthony.

In Lieu of Flowers, a memorial fund in memory of Anthony has been set up with donations going towards his son, Andrew's college education or other extraordinary needs.