Donald Ross Dawson, Sr.

A funeral service, celebrating the life of Donald Ross Dawson, Sr., age 82, of Newark, will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Sowards officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home, 179 Granville St., Newark, one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Donald was born in Morgantown, WV on March 13, 1935 to the late Henry Donald and Edith Ion (Demming) Dawson. He was raised with his family in Johnson City, Tennessee. He passed away at his residence on August 1, 2017 while surrounded by his loving family. Donald graduated from East Tennessee State Training School and then attended and graduated from East Tennessee State University, where he received his Bachelors Degree. He was a math and science teacher with Newark City Schools for 42 years, where he coached high school swimming and golf. He was well respected and was loved by his students and peers. Donald was a golden glove boxer; was a first-string All-American forward in basketball for Eastern Tennessee State University, where he also played baseball and held the longest running batting record, with a batting average of .500; was Licking Springs Trout Club champion seven times and played in the Muirfield Pro-Am golf tournament. He enjoyed fishing, playing pool, golfing, bird watching and photography. After retirement, he was an avid auction attendee and he owned and operated the 11th Street Flea Market. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Ann Snookie (Tunnell) Dawson, whom he married September 26, 1956; children, Victoria Khan, Julia E. Bowman, Donald R. (Lisa) Dawson, Jr. and Gabrielle (LeShawn) Hampton; grandchildren, Nicol, Donnie, Cortney, Mark, Celeste, Kyle, LeShawn, Jr., Shanee and Shania; great grandchildren, Nautica, Natajia, Monte, Jr., Nicolas, Nyree, Ramoni, Ross, Ajani, Celena, Zerek, Amy, Connor, Ashaunti and Leonna ; close friends, Jim and Nancy Earl; nieces; nephews; cousins; and a host of other friends. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Foundation For Hospice of Central Ohio, PO Box 430, Newark, Ohio 43058-0430.Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for Donald and the Dawson family.