In Loving Memory of
Deacon James Dawson, Sr.
June 12, 1928 to December 12, 2021
James Edward Dawson, Sr. was born June 12, 1928 in Hale County, Alabama. He accepted Christ in 1940 and became a member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Gallion, Alabama under the leadership of Rev. King.
On September 2, 1952, James was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served in the Korean War earning the rank of Sergeant. He achieved Good Conduct, National Defense, Korean Service, Bronze Star and United Nations service medals. On July 8, 1955, James was united in Holy Matrimony to Dorothy (Dot) M. Shelton in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After their union, they moved to Chicago, Illinois and became active members of Big Zion Baptist Church. It was during this time James employed by Campbell Soup as a forklift operator where he was employed for over 30 years. James loved to sing and became a singer in the gospel group, "The Golden Chords."
In 1959, James and family moved to Markham, Illinois. While living in Markham, James became a civil servant holding the position of Director of the Civil Defense Agency for the City of Markham. In addition, James studied and trained himself to be an electrician. He started his own business, "Dawson Electric."
In his free time James was a Charter Life Member of the American Motorcyclist Association. He had an amazing Harley Davidson motorcycle and attended motorcycle rodeos gaining the name "Chrome Charlie" and winning trophies for the most decorated bike.
In October of 1982, while visiting Oak Forest Hospital he observed a patient on the roof and notified personnel. He accompanied the officer in the roof, run to the patient and grabbed him, preventing him from falling from the ledge. He received a letter of accommodation for his heroic deed from the Hospital Director.
In 1999, James and Dot moved to Gallion, Alabama and built their forever home. He then served as the chairman ofvthe deacon board at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church for many years.
Deacon Dawson was the oldest member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Gallion, Alabama. He entered into eternal rest December 12, 2021 at Marengo County Nursing Facility in Linden Alabama.
"Thy will be done"
God did not promise sun without rain,
Light without darkness or joy without pain
He only promise us strength for the day,
When the darkness comes and we lose our way,
For only through sorrow do we grow more aware
the God is our refuge in times of despair,
For when we are happy and life's bright and fair,
we often forget, to kneel in prayer,
but God seems much closer and needed more,
when trouble and sorrows stand outside our door,
For then we seek shelter in his wondrous love,
and we ask Him to send us help from above,
And that is the reason we know it is true,
that bright shining hours, and dark sad ones too,
are part of the plan God made for each one,
and all we can pray is "Thy will be done"