Cloudy, 57° F
(February 1, 2002)
Funeral services for one of Powell's pioneer business owners, Russell W. (Rusty) Dawson, 88, will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church.
Mr. Dawson, who died Friday, Feb. 1 in the Powell Hospital, owned and operated a blacksmith shop and fabricating business on Powell's main street for 62 years until his retirement. The Dawson Repair shop was the namesake for present-day Blacksmith Plaza at 143 South Bent Street.
Pastor Don Peel will officiate at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. The Powell Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors.
Mr. Dawson had been a resident of the Powell Nursing Home for most of the last two years.
He was born May 4, 1913, in Bloomington, Nebr., to John and Lula (Moffet) Dawson. He moved to Powell as a young boy in 1916.
In 1950, he and B. Berniece Johnson were married.
He served with the U.S. Army during World War II and received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.
He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW, the Masonic Lodge, the White Shrine and the Powell Veterans Honor Guard. He was also an avid rockhound during his earlier years.
Mr. Dawson was a strong supporter of Powell High School athletics all his life. For many years, he held the PHS record for the two-mile run.
Survivors include his wife Berniece of Powell; two sons, Wayne E. Dawson and wife Angelina of Lancaster, Calif., and John A. Dawson of Powell; a brother, Raymond (Pete) Dawson of Powell; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Wayne, Glen (Johnny) and Stanley.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to the Parkinson's Association.
