Obituary of Oran Russell Dawson

Dawson, Oran Russell Oran Russell Dawson, 90, of Winter Haven, FL and Dayton, OH, died March 26, 2014. Oran, son of Leonard and Arilda (Potts) Dawson, and loving husband of Arliss Mae (Metzner) Dawson for 70 years passed away at his home in Winter Haven, FL after a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife, Arliss; three sons, Oran Douglas (Michelle) Dawson, Germantown, MD; Dr. Gregory Alan (Dr. Cindy) Dawson, Sanford, FL and Richard Eugene (Jana) Dawson, Dayton, OH. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren ; Jonathan and Dr. Matthew Dawson; Nicholas, Kyle and Keisha (Kubala)Dawson; Henry, Justin and Benjamin Dawson and seven great grandchildren, Jack, Emma, Nathan, Noah and Kylie Dawson, Jamison and Kreg Kubala, all living in various areas of the United States. Born January 23, 1924, fourth youngest of 13 children, he joined the US Navy in 1941 and served through 1945, on the ship, the USS Laurens, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Oran worked for NCR, General Motors Company, The Borden Ice Cream Company and owned a Pepperidge Farm franchise, all in the Dayton, OH area. He is remembered by family and friends as a man of tremendous Christian Faith with a great sense of humor. He generously gave of his time and treasure to his family, in support of Churches schools and of charities. He loved sports and won medals in the Florida Senior Olympics. Oran became a Christian at age thirty one and was a former member of the Riverdale United Methodist Church (Dayton, OH) and Salem Church of God (Clayton, OH) serving both churches as a youth leader and Sunday school teacher. He was a current member of the First Church of God, Winter Haven, FL. When his sons were growing up he volunteered as a youth baseball coach, and was active in Boy Scouts. He also enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He attended his grandchildren's sports and other activities often driving many miles to be there to support them. Being one of thirteen children he has numerous nieces and nephews and their children whom he loved. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Two memorial services will be held. One in Winter Haven FL on April 13, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Winter Haven First Church of God and one in Dayton, OH on June 14 at the Ft. McKinley United Methodist Church time TBD. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to either Cornerstone Hospice 2590 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven FL. , 33881, Winter Haven First Church of God, 3025 U.S. 92, Winter Haven FL. 33881 or Good Sheppard Hospice, 218 S. Dixie Dr.. Haines City FL., 33844.