Thompson E. Dawson

Thompson E. Dawson, 90, of Carsonville, has moved on to Eternal Patrol after a lifetime of faithful service to his family and country. He was born Sept. 5, 1924, in Detroit as the son of Canadian immigrants. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and volunteered for the submarine service. He completed his training in March 1944 and was assigned to the commissioning crew of the U.S.S. Hardhead, a Balao Class submarine. He made two war patrols as a motor machinist’s mate aboard the Hardhead in the South Pacific. The submarine and its crew engaged the enemy with valor and prevailed in multiple encounters against Japanese naval forces, on one occasion narrowly evading a depth charge attack. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to Michigan. On June 26, 1948, he married Margaret (McNeil) Dawson, who was his life’s true companion and survives him after 67 years of devoted marriage. He took night classes to train as an accountant, a field in which he worked for more than a decade before going into the machining business with his father. He later set up his own successful business as a dealer in industrial tools and machines. He was a lifetime member of the United States Submarine Veterans and Gideons International. He lived his life humbly, quietly and with obedience to his Christian faith. He is survived by his wife Margaret Dawson of Carsonville, daughters Gayle Dawson of Traverse City, Judy (Gary) Daley of Deckerville, Nancy (Dennis) Christopher of Traverse City, Susan (Nicholas Wasielewski) Dawson of Harrision Twp. and Carolyn (Jeffrey) Walker of Battle Creek; and sons Tom Dawson of Traverse City, and Jeff Dawson of Oklahoma City, Okla. He was blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two infant sons, a grandson Andrew David Hoffman, and a daughter-in-law Carolyn Dawson. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday July 26, 2015 at Pomeroy Funeral Home in Lexington. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. Memorials may be made to the Gideons or Blue Water Hospice Residence. “Sailor, rest your oar. Your brothers have the watch.”

Thompson E. Dawson

September 5, 1924 - July 22, 2015