Kenneth Dawson Obituary

Dawson, Kenneth A devoted family man. That's the best way to remember Kenneth Dawson. He was a dedicated husband and father. As the third child of 11 children born to Robert and Dorothy Dawson, family was always a big part of his life. Kenneth died Sunday, October 5, 2014 at age 87. His death comes just three months after the death of his beloved wife, Frances Ann White. They had been married for 58 years. Kenneth learned at an early age the importance of education, hard work and responsibility. In 1939, the Dawson family moved to Georgetown, Illinois. He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1945 and was drafted into the U.S. Army at the close of World War II. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he entered into and received a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree from Roosevelt University. Kenneth worked as a teacher and counselor in Chicago's public schools. In 1953, Kenneth went to Okinawa, Japan to teach school to the children of Americans stationed there. In 1955, he returned to Chicago to continue teaching at several Chicago Public Schools including Betsy Ross and the Montefiore School for Socially Maladjusted Boys. Kenneth also served as Director of Midway Technical Institute and for more than two decades was a respected counselor at Wright Junior College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. In the early 70's, Kenneth and Frances Ann, along with two of his brothers' families and parents, purchased summer homes in Union Pier, Michigan. The property was affectionately called, "The Dawson Compound." That was where Kenneth enjoyed taking his children to the beach, planting flowers, grooming the "latest" dog and visiting with friends and family. We will never forget sharing a delicious pot of red beans and rice, Creole eggplant or his legendary peach cobbler. After retirement, Kenneth and Frances Ann traveled around the world, but Kenneth would always say there was no place more beautiful than Chicago. He loved the city's lakefront, downtown and cultural arts including everything from The Chicago Sinfonietta and Lyric Opera to The Chicago Kennel Club Dog Shows and Taste of Chicago. A memorial service celebrating the life of Kenneth Dawson will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22nd at Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church where Dawson served faithfully as an elder. The church is located at 600 E. 35th Street in Chicago. Dawson is survived by his three children, Kenneth Jr., Kimberly and Robert; his grandchildren and extended family.