Birth date: Jul 2, 1926 Death date: Jul 30, 2017
Decatur – James M. “Jim” Dawson, 91, of Decatur, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, July 30, 2017. Jim was born July 2, 1926 in Sterling, IL, the son of Edward and Elizabeth (McCormick) Dawson. A WWII Navy Read Obituary
Uncle Jim and Aunt Susie were an example of a loving couple in their marriage. That could never be doubted when you were around them. They raised a beautiful, loving family. As a child, I always loved his big teddy bear hugs. I am so glad that we saw them both last fall. We love you all.Debbie Vonachen Robinson and Tom Robinson
Part two of Jim Dawson's eulogy to Poppo. You felt the special bond when you received a postcard from Treasure Island. Bonds were forged over the continued optimism that there would always be another year for his beloved Cubbies and finally when we celebrated their triumphant World Series victory after a literal lifetime of saying "maybe next year." We all watched new bonds form from the love of feeding geese, watching the world go by, and listening for my cousin Andy to whisper as the leaves rustled in the wind. Special moments were created simply over a silly nickname, a giant high five, or a particular serenade. Lastly, some connected with Poppo through a unique tenderness they shared, and whose tender hearts visited him, cared for him, took him for long drives, and never forgot Poppo when he needed it the most. I have always felt that the adhesive to my special bond with Poppo was our love of art and especially our fondness of doodling. Like many great artists who spend their whole lives working to create their masterpiece, Poppo left us all with his own masterpiece as well. Poppoâ??s masterpiece is so overwhelming and distinctive that all of us would find it instantly recognizable. Poppo didnâ??t create his masterpiece with paints and a canvas but with relationships and memories in his home at 955 W. Mound Road, Poppoâ??s masterpiece. I watched my grandparents demonstrate their true love for their family, and their unconditional love for each other in this home they built together. They truly exhibit love from leading by example. I had the honor and pleasure to tell all of my grandparents as I began my journey into adulthood that I had learned many things in life. Some things were learned by reading books, some by going to school, but the rest was learned in my grandparentsâ?? homes. Now that I am building my own home, those words could never be more true. Poppo and Grandma laid the foundation on which all other relationships could be built. When I sit and reminisce about Poppo and Grandma's home, Iâ??m overwhelmed with cherished memories from the smells of pipe tobacco and Old Spice, from the sounds of children laughing, water splashing, and car doors slamming, from the dramatic way he answered his phone, â??Heeeeloooo,â? from the savory taste of Popposâ??s special popcorn or the sweetness of the cookies he picked for the jar, from the feel of his tight grip when he shook your hand, and last but not least from the way he looked at my grandma on his 85th birthday and said to her as he was overlooking his family, â??to think we did all of this.â? Iâ??m flooding with memories. So many wonderful memories beginning to collect, and they swell in my eyes until my sight is drowned. My memories trickle down my cheeks, and each memory that drips from my face is a moment in time that I know I will never have again, but my gratitude is endless. All the memories that have been shared over the past few days, from my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and our friends, have been enough memories to flood this building, which was such a special place for Poppo, and helped define the faith and virtue he had within his own heart, and helped contribute to his masterpiece. It will take time to adjust in a world without my treasured Poppo, and to my family, I know it will for you as well. Rest assured, I will be listening for Poppoâ??s whispers serenading within the rustling of the leaves. I will continue to paint my own masterpiece with my sweet ones. And when times get tough I will always be reminded of Poppoâ??s words. (Post card from Treasure Island)What great news!!! Grandma and I wish you and Laura many many great years together. Love is a great thing, and you will have all of us with you on your new journey. Wishing you the best.Poppo Grandma
Part one of Jim Dawson's eulogy to Poppo. Many of you might know my grandfather as â??Bigâ? Jim Dawson, but to our family he is known unmistakably as Poppo. I know him only as his grandchild, and even since my first memories of him, reaching up to grab a pack of baseball cards slightly out of reach with my cousins, Sean and Andy, standing next to me, he has always been larger than life and had a heart of solid gold. If you read Poppoâ??s obituary, you saw that he had numerous achievements in his life that made him a great man, certainly deserving of the title, â??The Greatest Generationâ?. Poppo did many things in life that made him special, but I want to begin painting my picture of Poppo for all of you by recognizing a few things that he never did, at least in front of me, that made him a truly exceptional person. First, with the exception of one of his favorite stories about his dear friend Dick Forbes, and the reaction it received, I never heard Poppo cuss or talk inappropriately in front of his grandchildren. I never heard him raise his voice, argue, and in fact I never saw him seemingly agitated. When you visited Poppo and Grandmaâ??s house, the doors were never locked, and you were never made to feel unwelcomed or rushed to leave. Poppo was not judgmental, and he never talked over anyoneâ??s head. Even at a young age, you were part of the conversation. No special seats, no kidsâ?? tables, no shushing, and no one was ever made to feel that his or her stories or events were overshadowed by anyone elseâ??s. Everyone was equal; everyone was his family. He made all of his grandchildren feel deserving and as unique as their square on the grandkids' walk of fame, a series of hand painted stepping blocks leading to the pool. He provided us all with the foundation to build and grow into our own families. He set us all up for our own greatness. I have the special honor of being named after Poppo, but like all of my family sitting here today, and all of Poppoâ??s grandchildren and their spouses, we all feel a special solid bond with Poppo. Poppo was a peopleâ??s person, and he knew how to make everyone feel special. The relationships and bonds formed with him helped shape the men and women and the fathers and mothers we are today. These special bonds with his grandchildren may have been formed through a shared a hobby, interest, or love of Catholic high school football. Bonds were formed on hot summer days playing volleyball or splashing in the pool. Many memorable conversations were formed over sharing a big bowl of his infamous popcorn and watching whatever sports game was on Sundayâ??s tv, especially when his much loved Redskins were playing. Maybe Poppo made you feel special while smoking a cigar in the garage or while you were helping out in the yard. It could have been from watching cowboy movies or the Doppler in the den on a weekday afternoon visit. You might have felt a special bond from the gift that was picked especially for you or the special gleam in his eye as he toasted your marriage on Christmas Eve, our familyâ??s most special holiday. Some bonds were created over a specially made breakfast before a long ride home or a shared sense of patriotism or military service.
Heaven just added a lot of fun….I remember everyone laughing whenever we were with your dad (and mom). He always made people laugh, smile and feel so welcomed! I picture Jack Driscoll and your dad catching up on things. I'm so sorry for your loss. Kathy Driscoll Coker
To the Dawson Family: So sorry to hear of your loss! Always enjoyed to visit with Jim he was so proud of his family! Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers! May God give you strength at this time! Your Friends David & Jackie Wilhour
Well, I don't know where to start sharing the Schnaer Families relationship with the Dawson Family, led by Mr Jim Dawson as I knew him as!! I (Miles) remember the Christmas Eve gatherings that I was invited to share at the Dawson home in spite of my Jewish heritage! The Dawson Family made me feel so welcome to their inner family heritage which I was very fortunate to experience! I will always appreciate how we were welcomed into the Dawson Family aura with tremendous respect and thankfulness!!Our love and respect will always be prevalent in our life!much love to you all,Miles and Paula Schnaer and Family😍😍
Sending condolences Maggie to you and your family. You spoke so highly of your grandfather always. God has welcomed another angel in to heaven. Thinking of you.Karen Rienbolt and Family
Dawson Family,We are sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.From the retirees of the Decatur Police Dept. and the Macon County Sheriff's Office
We send our condolences to Mrs. D and the entire family on the loss of a wonderful and very "special" man. We have a lifetime of memories that bring smiles and laughter to our family. Rest in peace Mr. D.Kitty Forbes Mitchell
Thanks so much, JC. He thought so highly of you, even though he said we were the two biggest slobs when we roomed together for four years. Up to his last days, struggling with dementia, he would smile when I'd say "Hey dad, I heard from Johnny Clark today!"
