Fred Dawson, Jr. passed away from ALS peacefully on October 18, 2014. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 43 years, Charlene (Chari) Dawson; their two sons, Fredrick "Rick" and Steven "Steve" and their grandson, Jayden.

He also leaves behind his beloved mother, Ruby G. Dawson; sisters, Georgia Hernandez (John), Kathy Musante and Barbara Dawson; sisters-in-law, Barbara Threlkeld and Laura Throp (Dan); brothers-in-law, Chip Anderson and Charles Begg; nieces, Barbara Greenwell, Andrea Hernandez, Lisa Bischoffer, Ana Dawson, Stephanie Musante and nephew, Tom Threkeld. Fred was preceded in death by his father, Fred D. Dawson; grandparents, Daniel and Concepcion Dawson and George and Angelita Gross.

Fred was born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 17, 1947 to Fred D. and Ruby G. Dawson. The Dawson family moved to Tucson a year after Fred was born to be close to family in southern Arizona. Fred graduated from Tucson High School in 1965. He completed his freshman year at the University of Arizona before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam on the DMZ, in 1968 and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Before going to Vietnam, he met Chari on a blind date. After being honorably discharged on April 1, 1969, he returned to Tucson to continue his loving relationship with Chari and to go back to school. They were married January 23, 1971.

During this time while attending the U of A, Fred started his banking career working at night at the computer center of Southern Arizona Bank and Trust Company (SAB). During his career he went from a proof operator to Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance. He retired from Commerce Bank of Arizona in 2013.

His banking career lasted 44 years. Fred very much enjoyed his 15 years with SAB, which later became First Interstate Bank of Arizona and then spent 16 years at Jim Click's, Arizona Bank, serving with President and CEO David T.C. Wright, one of his best friends and banking mentor.

Community Banking was a wonderful Profession and the folks Fred worked with were also wonderful, hardworking people. Fred and Chari have remained best friends with John and Jeannine Lewis for over 40 years.

John and Fred started working at SAB while attending college and became like brothers and their families shared so many good times together. Fred and Chari enjoyed traveling across the United States, England, Italy, Puerto Rico, St. Barts and Victoria. They especially enjoyed family time in their vacation cabin in the White Mountains.

Papa Fred very much valued his time with his beloved grandson, Jayden Dawson, especially this past summer in La Jolla.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to ALS, 360 E. Coronado Rd., Ste. 140, Phoenix, AZ 85004. There will be a celebration of life at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 E. Fort Lowell Road, Tucson at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2014. Arrangements by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL.