Richard W. Dawson, 87, of Bellefontaine, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 10, 2020, at Logan Acres Care Center.
Richard was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, April 12, 1932, to the late Carlton and Edna Mae (Ridley) Dawson. He was also preceded in death by a son, Rick Dawson; three brothers, Roger, Ted and Bruce Dawson; his second wife, Robbie Lee Beaird Dawson; and step-grandchild, Megan Crouch.
Richard is survived by his children, Michael (Barbara) Dawson of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, and Deb (Dave) Allison of Bellefontaine; grandchildren, Dana (David) Desharnais, Andrew Allison and Christopher (Valerie Kramer) Allison; great-grandchildren, David and Darcey Desharnais; his first wife, and mother of his children, Beverly Dawson of Bellefontaine; step-daughter, Tasha Davenport of Kentucky; step-grandchild, Reagan Potter; sister-in-law, Nancy Dawson of Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Korean War era and Vietnam veteran, Richard proudly served 24 years in the U.S. Navy Seabees as a heavy equipment operator before retiring in 1988. He enjoyed gardening and tending to his rose bushes.
Pastor Bryan Meadows officiates a memorial service Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, at 6 p.m. at Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, where visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m., prior to the service. Military honors will be provided by members of the Logan County Veteran Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan County Cancer Society, c/o Mary Rutan Foundation, 205 E. Palmer Road, Bellefontaine, Ohio, 43311. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the staff of Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, and online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.edsfh.com.