John Dolliver Dawson

John Dawson was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on December 31, 2021, just 4 weeks after his beloved wife of 77 years, Margie, passed away.

Born on May 5, 1922 on a farm to Dolliver and Pearl Dawson. During his youth, at age 14, after hearing an evangelist at his church, John accepted Christ as his Savior.

John and Margie were married on March 12, 1944 and raised two children, Janice Diane Clutts and Timothy John Dawson.

For 29 years John lived and worked on farms in Audubon County. John and Margie decided to move to Des Moines in 1951.

John held jobs with Sherwin Williams and Iltis Lumber Company before landing at Hyline Poultry Farms where he was a general contractor for their building program. In the process, he sold 200 cage units over the Midwest by helping farmers get financing, hiring contractors and arranging for all necessary materials to be available. He later stated that his work with the people was the most rewarding part of the job. A transfer to Springfield, MO came next to continue to work with the poultry industry. Because the poultry industry was changing they transferred to Omaha to work for Anderson Box Company.

After several years the next move was to Altoona, IA. In those 16 years in Altoona they were instrumental in planting a church. A move to Urbandale in a home overlooking a golf course was the next move to be closer to family. During the years in Urbandale, John worked for Patterson Dental Supply, volunteered at Methodist Hospital, and worked with a close friend to do handyman work for the Good Samaritan, a program for underprivileged individuals. More than a worker, John was a friend to all the residents and the children especially loved him. At each juncture, John and Margie became active in a church, serving where needed and creating a circle of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; wife, Margie; son, Timothy, and two infant children, Marsha and Tommy

John is survived by his daughter, Janice (Jerry) Clutts; daughter-in-law; Dilla Dawson; grandsons, Aaron (Sarah) Clutts, Joel (Stephanie) Clutts, Kevin Dawson, Karl Dawson; and three great-granddaughters, Elsie, Vivian, and Olive.

A service for the immediate family will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Burial will be at Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa at a later date.

Condolences can be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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