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Thomas Dawson Obituary

Thomas K. Dawson

June 5, 1943 - March 22, 2024

Thomas K. Dawson, age 80, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Tom was born June 5, 1943, in Dayton, Ohio, to Harold and Gladys Dawson. He graduated in 1961 from Northmont High School in Clayton, Ohio, northwest of Dayton.

He attended Bowling Green State University to study journalism. Starting his sophomore year, he worked full-time as a reporter-photographer for the Findlay Republican-Courier (now the Courier), while going to school full-time during the day. He graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in journalism, also completing postgraduate work in the College of Business Administration. While at BGSU, he met Donna Marcis, of Parma, Ohio; both were on the staff of the BG News. They were married August 14, 1965.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Bruce Harold and James William Dawson. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Donna; daughter, Michelle Dawson and her husband, Jed Birmingham of Ellsworth, Maine; son, Brian Dawson and his wife, Sarah of Charlottesville, Virginia; grandson, Will, and granddaughter, Olivia, both of Charlottesville; sister, Kay Dawson of Englewood, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Terri Dawson of Lewisburg, Ohio.

Tom's family was most important to him, and visiting his children and grandchildren was always atop his list of preferred vacation destinations. He and Donna traveled to 49 states during their time together, missing only Hawaii. Favorite locations (besides their children's homes) were Wyoming, Alaska, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition, Tom enjoyed riding his BMW motorcycle, meeting with his "biker buddies" weekly for breakfast. That group of ruffians also made motorcycle trips to the Ozarks, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Vermont and Quebec, as well as two trips around Lake Superior.

After college, Tom began his career at Findlay College (now University of Findlay), where he was Director of Public Information and Assistant Director of Development. In 1969, he started his career with The Toledo Blade Co., where he worked as a reporter, regional editor and night city editor. He was also involved with the implementation of The Blade Instantnews, delivering news and advertising via cabletext over two leased cable channels.

In 1986, he began working with Buckeye Cablevision, a related entity of Block Communications. Over the years, he served in several management positions in the system's expansion areas. During his final years at Buckeye, as Director of Government and Community Affairs, he was responsible for all governmental and community relations for Buckeye, including dealing with state and local governments, regulatory work with Public Utilities Commissions in Ohio and three other states and the Federal Communications Commission. From 1997 until he retired in 2009, he served as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Buckeye Telesystem, another Block Communications entity.

One particular career highlight was serving on Ohio Governor George Voinovich's Operations Improvement Task Force in Columbus in 1991. The efficiency improvements that Tom's team ultimately recommended ending up saving Ohio taxpayers $12 million. Tom, forever fulminating against government waste, was understandably proud of this accomplishment.

Following his retirement, he continued as a Buckeye consultant. A lifelong journalist, he wrote freelance pieces, not only for The Blade but also for Motorcycle Consumer News and Rider magazine. Another favorite project was writing a book, published in 2015, to commemorate Buckeye Cablevision's fiftieth anniversary: "Building Blocks: Buckeye CableSystem's Communications Revolution, from Printer's Ink to Cable to Fiber."

Tom also was involved in a number of civic activities. He served on the boards of Partners in Education, the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (as president in 1987), the Bowling Green State University Foundation, the Bowling Green State University Alumni Association (as chairman in 2005-06), the Public Broadcast Foundation of Northwest Ohio, the Press Club of Toledo (as president in 2004), the Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association (as president for three terms, 2005-08), the Community Advisory Board for WGTE TV and Radio, and several other committees in the area.

He was honored to receive a number of professional awards and citations over the years. Two of which he was proudest were the Press Club of Toledo's Norm Cartwright Award in 2005 for "years of service and distinction"; and, in statewide recognition, being named an honorary member of the Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association in 2011 for "outstanding contributions . . . valued leadership . . . and commitment to the growth and future of the industry."

Tom's memberships included the Toledo Museum of Art, Adams Conservation Club, the National Rifle Association and the American Motorcyclist Association.

Tom's family will miss him greatly. "Family" naturally includes his children's dogs (Ash, Lexie, Gus and Biscuit) and cat (Pancho), whom he loved to spoil just as he spoiled his grandchildren. His sense of humor always made us laugh, and usually made us roll our eyes as well ("dad jokes" were a particular specialty). His happiest times were when the whole family was together, whether for a celebratory occasion or just a vacation.

Per the family's wishes, there will be no visitation, and services will be private. Those who would like to make a memorial contribution in Tom's memory are asked to consider the Bowling Green State University Alumni Association's Laureate Scholarship Fund or WGTE Public Media of Toledo, Ohio.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade on Mar. 28, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Dawson

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Troy & Jenny

April 6, 2024

Donna, so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. We have been lucky to have you & Tom as neighbors for these past 24 years. Our hearts go out to you and your family.

Maureen (McLaughlin) Aukerman, 1961 classmate

April 3, 2024

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Maureen McGuire Majerus - Northmont Class of "61.

April 2, 2024

What a wonderful life! So much success personally and in his career. I remember a young, always smiling, kind and friendly "kid." Condolences to Donna and family.

conrad aiken

April 2, 2024

I grew up with Tom near Clayton and he was a year older than I. We were close friends during our high school and college years. Suffice it to say that Tom was always happy, funny, great to be with, highly intelligent and industrious. His great success in life is absolutely no surprise to those of us who knew him well. We were so fortunate to get to know Donna when they married and like Tom, she has always been a delight and we wish her the absolute best.

Greg Oatis

April 2, 2024

One late night fifty years ago, I was working with Tom at the Blade.

There were two fire extinguishers hung in plain view on the walls, one at each end of the editorial department. Above the fire extinguishers, for some reason, were two signs that said, "Fire Extinguisher," even though the extinguishers themselves were impossible to overlook.

Without saying anything, Tom wrote in large letters on two sheets of paper the word, "Sign," and hung it above each of the "Fire Extinguisher" signs.

It was perfect.

Rest in peace, old friend.

My sincere condolences to the Dawson Family.

Monie Hussain

March 29, 2024

I was so sorry to hear the news and have been reflecting on how grateful I am to have had the Dawson family in my life. From kindergarten on I have such great memories of spending time on W John St. and especially hearing stories from Mr Dawson (Tom) about everything from stories he'd covered to all of the worldly knowledge he'd accumulated. As an adult I appreciated how much he must have left out of those stories, and how fortunate he felt for all he had made it through (he joked he'd used up 8 of his nine lives between childhood illness, getting shot in a hunting accident, and so much more.) I have looked forward for years to seeing Tom and Donna every summer and catching up for a bit and I know that so many of us who knew his intellect, warmth, and humor will be missing him. To Brian, Shelley, and Donna, I can only imagine how difficult this is and please know my whole family's thoughts are with you.

Dylan Bernstein

March 28, 2024

Tom was a great man, accomplishing great things with plenty of time for humor and joking around. I feel lucky to have known him growing up.

May his family find some ease in this trying time... And may Tom's memory inspire us all.

Barbara Cheetwood

March 28, 2024

Dear Donna, Shelly, Brian and all Tom's Beloved Grandchildren,
We were very saddened to open the paper today and read Tom's obituary. Our sincere condolences to all. We pray that he did not suffer long since we know firsthand how helpful Hospice can be. As the years have passed, our lives have not intersected much but we have never forgotten our dear sweet neighbors the Dawsons and reflect on them frequently. It is no surprise to read about all Tom's accomplishments nor to hear what a wonderful Grandfather he was. He was always so kind and gentle with our two young children and we are forever grateful that we were neighbors and friends with you all.
Love and Thankful Friendship,
Craig and Barbe Cheetwood

Barry Smith

March 28, 2024

Tom was such a hoot I road motorcycles and a couple BMW so we were great the world will be a lesser place ride on Tom he talked about his breakfast crew.

Candace Tubbs

March 28, 2024

Tom was a huge influence in my life. I learned and grew a lot while working for him at Buckeye CableSystem/Broadband. He had a heart of gold and I loved his humor; he always made me (and everyone else) laugh. I will miss that and the fabulous stories he told. Tom, you will be missed. Don't cause too much trouble up there. :)

Chip Carstensen

March 28, 2024

So sad to hear of Tom´s passing. We enjoyed working together at Buckeye for many years on projects and rebuilds. He always had a great sense of humor even during the toughest of times and it lifted spirits of those around him. He possessed a keen intellect and often interjected ideas that stimulated creative ways to solve problems. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace.

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Funeral services provided by:

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