ObituaryDawson-7-21-16James (Jim) Leroy Dawson of Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2016 with his loving family at his side. He succumbed to complications from the sudden onset of stage 4 cancer. Born in Garden City, Kansas on October 27, 1942, he served in the Navy right out of high school, and continued serving his country at PMRF for 35 years as Program Manager of Operations. He continued to consult for the Department of Defense until 2014.
Jim met his wife, Verlene, in San Francisco while in the Navy, where he swept her off her feet with his charm, handsome good looks and Naval uniform. They were married June 17, 1962. Jim and Verlene moved to Kauai in 1970.
Jim was the kind of guy you would think was running for Mayor. He was extremely social and loved being around people. Jim was the founding member of the “Traveler’s Den Golf Club,” was in the “Men’s Kiahuna Golf Club,” was President of the West Kauai Rotary Club, played tennis for years, and loved watching all sports, especially the Broncos, and coaching his son, Randy, in Little League baseball.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Virgel Leroy and Alice Mae Dawson of Las Animas, Colorado; and his daughter, Teresa Michele Dawson Thompson.
Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Verlene; loving son, Randall Scott Dawson (Mary); two loving granddaughters, Danika Jae’lene Thompson and Kierra Raiko Thompson; and their father, Herb Thompson; his brother, Robert Virgel Dawson; and his niece, Kia Maree Brennan.
A memorial service was held on July 8, 2016, at Joe’s on the Green in Poipu on Kauai.