Donald E. Dawson, 84

REHOBOTH BEACH - Donald E. Dawson of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Bellemoor, passed away Friday, July 20, 2007, in his residence from complications of diabetes. It was his 61st wedding anniversary. Mr. Dawson was 84.

Mr. Dawson was born July 7, 1923, in Wilmington, son of the late Irwin J. and Mary T. Dawson; he was raised in Union Park Gardens.

A 1942 graduate of Wilmington High School, he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad before joining the U.S. Army.

He served with the U.S. Cavalry during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He was stationed in China, Burma and India.

Mr. Dawson was part of an elite regiment that lived with, and taught military skills to the native Chinese population; he was a rifleman instructor.

He was awarded several medals: Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with two bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

After returning from China, he owned his own plumbing and heating business for 40 years, earning his Master Plumber certification.

He was a past member of the Christiana Hundred Lions Club, Diamond State Post No. 2863, and a current member of the Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club.

Mr. Dawson was an avid hunter, fisherman and sports fan with season tickets for the University of Delaware, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Phillies. He especially enjoyed boating and spent twenty years cruising on the Kent Island Narrows as well as the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.

He had a second home for many years in Dewey Beach. He was the general contractor during the building of his dream home in the Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club. For the last 20 years he enjoyed his retirement, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Dawson will be dearly missed for his wit and many stories.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Sgt. Donald E. Dawson in 1969 who died while serving in Vietnam.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marcella D. Dawson; his daughter, Mary Ann Warner and her husband, Bruce of Hockessin; three granddaughters, Heather Dougherty and her husband, Joed and their children, Miles and Sean, Lori May and her husband, Charles and their children, Logan, Charlie and Cameron, all of Wilmington and Gwynne Borsello and her husband, Michael and their children, Thomas and Lola, all of Hockessin; two brothers, Irwin J. Dawson and his wife, Betsy of Lewes and Fred T. Dawson and his wife, Helen of Newark; and many nieces and nephews,

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call one hour earlier.

Burial will be private in Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmington.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of choice.