Kenneth A. Dawson

On August 13, 2023, Kenny Dawson won his well fought battle against cancer and returned to his permanent home in the sky, greeted by his Lord and Savior and welcomed into the arms of his two sons who he missed each and every day. He was 42 days shy of his 68th birthday on September 24th.

Kenny was married to his bride Linda Kay for 50 years, and he loved her each and every day of those years until his last breath. From this union they welcomed and doted on three children Kenny Jr, Bill and Tracey in addition to Bills wife, Rhonda who they helped raise since she was 13 years old.

Kenny worked with “Bills Asphalt” with his son and family for many years. Not only did he find joy working alongside his family, he loved to have fun with his family. Many days and nights were spent at the fields watching generation after generation that he created, play some ball or any activity the kids may be in at the time. He was always there in the stands or his chair so full of pride and excitement watching the littles. The pure thrill he got from being their grandpa cannot be matched. There is no papa out there quite like papa Kenny.

Not too long ago Friday nights involved watching his son, Bill race at the Iowa state fairgrounds. Kenny could be heard cheering with pride in the crowd, fists raised and sometimes cringing when a turn was taken a little too abrupt.

It is hard to find the words to put together to truly explain the love and the light that was Kenny. When he hugged you and said “I love you” it was felt to the core. He loved and he loved hard. Kenny was not only a supportive dad and devoted papa to his biological kids and grandkids, he was also those things to anyone who knew and loved him. He was a friend, father and grandfather to all. If you knew Kenny you loved him, trusted him and cared about him. He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty to protect his family. He maybe wasn’t the fastest or most agile as he aged but he never showed hesitation when it came to his “babies”. Even the adult family members were still Kenny’s babies. And hell hath no fury if you did any of them wrong, he’d take off towards his truck fast as he could, walker in tow or not - he had business to handle.

Kenny not only enjoyed watching his family play sports but was also an avid Denver Broncos, NASCAR and Cubs fan. Kenny was a proud Eastsider that loved sitting on his front porch watching old cars drive by during Good Guys every year and parking cars for fair events. He could be heard yelling “Trucks in the front, cars in the back! 20 bucks let’s go!”

Kenny did not just show love with words or acts of service, but would also pray for you. Kenny took his faith very serious and please know if you’re reading this there’s not a doubt out there about it - he prayed for you, for your health, safety, protection from anything that wouldn’t serve you well in life. Maybe he knew you well, maybe hardly at all. Regardless of the relationship held with Kenny, he made sure every night to pray for us all.

Kenny’s life did have its heartbreaks and downfalls. First, his oldest son Kenneth Jr died in infancy at just 27 hours old. Kenny’s health became poor in his younger years, this resulted in him needing a kidney transplant. Instead of lasting six years as the doctors told them to expect, the kidney lasted 29 years which is the record for longest lasting kidney transplant in Iowa!

Many years later Kenny would lose his 2nd son and best friend, Bill. The loss of two sons was heavy on Kenny, their lives were grieved everyday they were not with him. However, it can be said with great confidence Kenny is holding both his boys so tight now, surrounded by countless others that left before him. The reunion being held in Kenny’s new mansion in the sky, is one for the books.

Left earth side to mourn his significant loss includes his wife and soulmate, Linda Kay; daughters: Kim (Josh), Tracey (Joey); daughter-in-law, Rhonda; grandkids: Ashley (Jay), Bub (Shelly), Lacey (Tree), Stacey (Brandon), Macey (Seth), Brian (Kylee), Alexis (Dylan), Gwyn and Megan; an army of 22 great-grandkids who brought him so much joy in his life; sister, Bonnie; best friend and brother in law, Jack Dawson; best friend, Dan Toomey; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Those who greeted Kenny with open arms at the gates of Heaven include his two boys - Kenny Jr and Bill; his parents, Kenneth “Pete” and Martha; several brothers and sisters, family, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., followed by funeral service at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, August 20, 2023, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Kenny.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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