Roy J. Dawson Sr., husband to the late Martha Griggs Dawson, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and educator, departed this life on Saturday, March 3, 2001. Roy was born to the late James Albert and Cordeila Barnett Dawson on Aug. 3, 1907, in Glen Jean. He was one of 11 children in the Dawson family. He began his education in Mount Hope, and graduated from Byrd Prillerman High School in 1924. He earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in the fields of mathematics and science from West Virginia State College and West Virginia University. Throughout his teaching career, he received numerous grants from the National Science Foundation and government institutions. He did advanced study in math and science at Universities of Arkansas, Texas, Miami, and Oklahoma. He was a highly respected science and math teacher and in his classes students were also taught life skills. He was an excellent role model for the youth. Roy's career as an educator included teacher, assistant principal, and dean of Woodrow Wilson High School. He served the Raleigh County Public School system for 37 years before retiring in 1974. Education was a priority for him and he saw it as the passport to freedom and the future. He worked very hard and provided the necessary resources to enable his wife and four children to obtain advanced college degrees. Roy was the great landlord of his town. He always believed in making sure his tenants were comfortable and was quick to respond to their needs and wishes. He was a self-made man and used his building trade skills to construct several homes, including the original Dawson family home. He was an active member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and NAACP. He also served several terms on the Beckley Human Relations Board and the Beckley Business Development Corporation. He served as an advisor for several prominent government officials during the transformation period from segregation to integration in public schools and local businesses. He and Martha's marriage was blessed with four children: Roy Jr., Marconi, Scarlet, and the late William Dawson. His immediate family, relatives, and friends were the center of his life. He often talked about how proud he was of his children. Family gatherings and holidays were especially joyful and important to him. During the last several years of his life, he resided with his family in the New Jersey and Maryland areas. Well-liked by all, he will especially be remembered as a gentleman under all circumstances. He loved to engage friends and strangers in lively conversation. He leaves to mourn one loving daughter, Scarlet Dawson of Baltimore, Md.; two devoted sons, Roy Jr. of Turnersville, N.J., and Marconi of Newport News, Va.; a brother, Raymond of Akron, Ohio; three daughters-in-law, Sylvia, Brenda and Armeita; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel, Beckley. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before the service Saturday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.