Dawson Coleman passed away Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at 5:30 a.m. in San Angelo Community Medical Center. He was born Oct. 20, 1921, in Miles, Texas, to George and Zephy Smithwick Coleman. His parents and a sister preceded him in death.
Service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, in Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Larry Shotwell, Tom Martin and Chester McCown. Interment will be at 3:30 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery in Bronte.
Dawson married Goldie Gray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Gray, on July 5, 1943, at the First Baptist Church of Bronte. The Rev. J.E. Eldridge, father of Mrs. Rex Lowe, performed the ceremony. To this union was born one son, Randal Gray Coleman.
A graduate of Miles High School, Dawson was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Corps of Engineers. On his return to civilian life, he attended San Angelo College and graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor of science degree in vocational agriculture. He later earned a master of education degree from Texas Tech and his administrative certification from Abilene Christian University.
He was a vocational agricultural teacher for 21 years, teaching in Miles, Bangs and San Angelo Central high schools. He was named assistant principal at Central High School in 1974 and served in this position for 11 years. He was an administrator in the Water Valley I.S.D. when he retired in 1985. At the time of his death, he was engaged in ranching in Coke County.
Dawson was a member of Texas Retired Teachers Association, a life member of Texas State Teachers Association, the Texas Association of Secondary Principals and the Texas Vocational Agriculture Association.
He served as president of the Concho Hereford Association and as a director of the Texas Hereford Association. He was chairman of the feeder calf sales for 40 years, representing the Hereford breed. At the time of his death, Dawson was serving as superintendent of the Junior Hereford Heifer Show for the San Angelo Livestock Show. His involvement with the San Angelo Livestock Show Association spanned 50 years.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Goldie, and his son, Randal, both of San Angelo. He is also survived by two special nieces, Pam Witt and her husband, Roland, of Stephenville, and Gwen Dugan and her husband, Paul, of Clyde; and a special nephew, Bill Coleman and wife, Diane, of Kellerton, Iowa. Other survivors include three brothers, Richard Coleman of Miles, Howard Coleman of San Angelo and Dewey Coleman of Tyler; a sister, Kay Hagan of San Angelo; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Coleman of Fort Worth; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to thank Dr. John Ballard III, Dr. Paul Beuchel, Dr. John Granaghan, the staff of San Angelo Community Medical Center and the staff of Myrtlewood for the care given to Dawson during his illness.
Pallbearers are Greg McDonald, Clayton McCown, Jerome Smithwick, Kermit Wendland, Tom Waddell and Billy Weatherby, all of San Angelo, Charles Ehrig of Miles and Reed Stewart of Sterling City.
Honorary pallbearers are REX LOWE , Ron Bates, Jim Nevins, GEORGE FAULKNER , MINTON WHITE , Ed Cumbie, Gerald Sandusky, Fred Salling, X.B. Cox, A.T. Granzin, Otis Deal, Bill Hinnant, Dewey Luckett and Pete Puentez.
The family requests memorials be sent to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center of San Angelo.
