Thomas Dawson

1943 - 2024

News story
By Alexa York
Blade staff writer

Thomas Dawson, a retired director of Buckeye Broadband and former Blade editor who served on various nonprofit and civic boards, died March 22 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. He was 80.

He died after complications from a fall, his wife, Donna Dawson, said.

Mr. Dawson retired in 2009 after 40 years with Buckeye Broadband and The Blade, which are owned by Block Communications Inc.

He began reporting for The Blade in 1969 and served in various editorial roles before moving to Buckeye Cablevision in 1986.

"He was intelligent, loyal, and an invaluable right-hand," said Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications. "Most people couldn't do what he did, making the transition. Reporters generally don't make the switch from the newsroom. He was someone to go to when you needed something done."

As the director of government and community affairs at Buckeye, Mr. Dawson was lauded for his people skills and excelled in managing all the company's governmental and community relations. His responsibilities included dealing with state and local governments, the Public Utilities Commission in Ohio and in three other states, and the Federal Communications Commission.

During his tenure, he also assisted in implementing a $180 million fiber-optic system upgrade, which allowed the company to broaden its market by offering high-speed internet, advanced video services, and residential and commercial telephone service.

"I don't think there was anyone better in handling difficult situations with a sense of humor," said Dave Huey, retired president of Block Communications who worked closely with Mr. Dawson. "You had to be able to take on change constantly, or you wouldn't be in the business for very long. He was a very caring and warm person in a rapidly-changing industry. I'm sorely going to miss him."

Mr. Dawson was born on June 5, 1943, to Harold William Dawson and Gladys King Dawson in Dayton. He had a rural upbringing, growing up in nearby Clayton with horses, goats, and a pet sheep that would follow him around.

When Mr. Dawson was still a high school student, a photographer took an interest in him and showed him how to develop film in a darkroom. This led to his first job and an interest in photography that would continue for the rest of his life.

According to his wife, he considered photography and pre-law before deciding on journalism.

"One of his English professors encouraged him to do journalism because he was a good writer," Ms. Dawson said. "Both of our kids have communications degrees, so something rubbed off on them."

Mr. Dawson graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1966 with a bachelor of science in journalism and additional post-graduate coursework at the College of Business Administration. Even then, he had a strong work ethic and paid his way through school by working full-time as a reporter-photographer for the Findlay Republican-Courier, now known as the Courier.

His studies also led him to meet Donna Marcis, his future wife, while they were both university students on staff of the BG News. They married Aug. 14, 1965, in Parma, Ohio, and had two children.

"He loved old-school journalism stuff. He was always a print guy," said his son Brian, now an editor for Forbes magazine. "He loved the newsroom aspect of the profession."

In 2015, he authored the book Building Blocks - Buckeye CableSystem's Communications Revolution, from Printer's Ink to Cable to Fiber. Published for Buckeye's 50th anniversary, the book detailed four generations of family history contributing to the company's modern-day expansion and growth.

Throughout his life, Mr. Dawson was heavily involved in professional and civic organizations, often in leadership roles.

Among many others, he served on the boards of Partners in Education, the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Bowling Green State University Foundation, Bowling Green State University Alumni Association, Public Broadcast Foundation of Northwest Ohio, Press Club of Toledo, Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association, and Community Advisory Board for WGTE TV and Radio.

In his spare time, Mr. Dawson loved target shooting and riding his motorcycle, a childhood hobby he revived decades later. An avid outdoorsman and traveler, he took his motorcycle on trips to the Ozarks, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Vermont, and Quebec, and Lake Superior; he also visited every state with his wife except Hawaii.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Michelle Dawson; son, Brian Dawson; sister, Kay Dawson, and two grandchildren.

Per the family's wishes, there will be no visitation, and services will be private. The family suggests tributes be made to Bowling Green State University Alumni Association's Laureate Scholarship Fund or WGTE Public Media of Toledo.