Lanham Isaac Dawson Jr.

Lanham Isaac Dawson Jr, age 84 passed away at his residence in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. He was born on February 8, 1927 to Lanham Isaac, Sr and Eva Rhea (Cotton) Dawson. He grew up in Russett, Oklahoma and served his country proudly during WWII. He married Betty Jo Holt, and together they had four sons, and one daughter. Lanham and Betty valued the small town life so in 1950 they moved to Yukon, Oklahoma to raise their family. Lanham loved the outdoors and as fate would have it he was fortunate to be able to make his living as a carpenter and home builder, which meant plenty of time outdoors. He never could understand how anyone could sit behind a desk all day. Lanham's interests included fishing, hunting, OU football and spending plenty of quality time spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lanham and Betty would spend the next 23 years enjoying their home on Lake Eufaula only to come full circle when, in 2003, they returned to Oklahoma City to be nearer to family. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Ronnie. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Betty Dawson, his children Richard Dawson of Edmond, OK, Butch Dawson of Clayton, OK, Gary Dawson of Oklahoma City, OK, and Gwendolyn DeCassios of Edmond, OK; his brother, Gale Dawson of Yukon, OK, and sisters Fay Hamilton and Jerry Beaird of Kilgore, TX along with 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.