CLIFTON C. DAWSON

 

Our meeting here to-day in this service is more than just an interlude of sorrow and mourning, it is a memorial service to the memory of C. C. Dawson. My own association with the family extends back more than thirty years, and I have many pleasant memories of these contacts. These were increased after Mr. and Mrs. Dawson moved to Bethany in mid 50's.

 

Visits in their home was a pleasant experience. As Clif slowly rocked to and fro he would recall experiences from the past. Memories from the many years at Ford, Kansas. Stories about the children when they were young and the many things that happened around the home. Then with pride he would enumerate their successes now, and the accomplish-ments of grandchildren and great grand children. He enjoyed a bit of humor and he would chuckle gleefully in that quiet way of his.

 

When he could no longer drive his car, I would go by the house and find him with the car out on the drive. He would be sitting quietly behind the wheel and the motor running. When I opened the door and inquired,"Pop, where are you going?" He would answer, "No where, I can't drive it anymore but I want to keep the battery charged and the car ready to run, I might need to go back up to the farm sometime."

 

Since he couldn't drive anymore, he would move around town on foot, when he was able. Often as I stopped at the Post Office I would see him coming slowly down the street. That walk of his would be recognizable even before I could see his face. He would be wearing the striped bib overalls that were so much the mainstay of his attire, and in which he seemed so comfortable. (I expect, if the Lord will agree, he’d rather have the overalls now than a robe).

 

Cliff was a determined man and strong willed. Even after one of his attacks that would weaken him and keep him indoors for a period, it was not unusual to see him in the yard trying to start the lawn mower and then stumbling along behind it, still not ready to acknowledge that he was not strong enough to care for his own work. This same determination must have been struggling within him in his latter days. Too ill to expect recovery and yet subconsciously not willing to surrender.

 

Mr. Dawson was not widely known. Oh yes, around Ford and Dodge City, Kansas there were many that knew him, and many acquaintances here in Bethany, but still not a man known over a large area. And yet the influence from him will go beyond our comprehension. For he was the father of seven children, and each of them bear the characteristics of their father. They also are strong-willed, determined persons. Each capable in his own sphere. But more than that, each serves God and his church, and certainly the home and concern for spiritual things has influenced their choices.

 

One is a minister and many have come under his concern and direction. The others carry important lay responsibilities. Cliff Dawson through his children expanded his influence far beyond his fondest dreams.

 

Daughter Eileen, a few hours after her father's death, wrote her tribute to her father, and I read it now:

 

Signed \Darrell L. Slack\

 

—This carbon copy was in one of the scrapbooks Verna made of family records and memorabilia.