Orie Dawson

Orie (Dean) Dawson, 84, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2022 due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Dean was born in Des Moines, Iowa on July 4th, 1938 to Orie and Bess Dawson.

After graduating from Des Moines East High School, Dean worked 25 years at AMF Western Tool and later retired from the Des Moines Waterworks at age 62.

Dean married Cleo Critchfield in 1958 and together they raised three daughters. Leann Dawson (Arthur Fleming), Kelly Nolan (Kevin Nolan) and Lori Dawson-Weeks (Kurt Weeks). Dean and Cleo divorced after 23 years but remained great friends.

Dean had a strong work ethic, at times working two jobs to help with college expenses. Dean raced snowmobiles in the winter, and the family enjoyed their winter snowmobiling adventures as well as their summer vacations to Colorado and Wyoming. Dean loved cars, a beautifully manicured lawn, and puttering in his garage. When he purchased his “Mini-Winnie” motor home, he and his long time partner Judy Vonk enjoyed camping and star gazing.

Leann and Kelly settled in the Seattle area and Dean loved visiting every summer. He pitched in painting, brush clearing, plumbing, you name it. He was always there to help!

Dean was a devoted father and grandfather. One of Deans greatest joys was being a grandparent to his two grandsons, Noah (Arianna Weeks) and Nash Weeks. He attended every school and sporting event. Once the boys were older, the three of them would pile in the car, depart Des Moines before dawn (he loved his early morning departures) and head to Seattle. Dean always preferred driving to flying and he continued to drive to Seattle each summer into his 80’s.

Dean is survived by his daughters and families as well as nephew Pat Kearney and family. Dean will be missed by his partner Judy Vonk (and family), his former wife Cleo Dawson and his best friend Bob Hart.

A celebration of life will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Dean’s memory to Orchard Place or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Online condolences may be expressed at www.Hamilton’s FuneralHome.com.

The family sends a huge heartfelt thank you to the staff of Kennybrook and Unity Point Hospice for their excellent, thoughtful care.

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