Arthur Dawson

In life, Art Dawson knew and experienced sadness, yet he was one the happiest people anyone knew. Art made the choice to learn from the past and change the future, and he did so exceedingly well. With his ready smile, he lived life with a grateful heart, and was a loving example for his children to live by. Art leaves much to be remembered and will be deeply missed.

Nestled in the small village of Howden Le Wear in Durham County, England, life seemed far removed among the rolling hills from political tension, and Art's story began in the midst of these trying times in 1930s England. The son of Arthur and Winifred (Davis) Dawson, Arthur was born on August 18, 1935. The Dawson's made their home in Crook, England, a small market town where Arthur's father was a shopkeeper. His mother was a homemaker, and before long Art was joined by a little sister, Valarie who sadly died at nine months old.

Born during the difficult days of the Depression, England's entry into World War II followed immediately in 1939. Tough times indeed, Art was seven years old when his parents divorced and was sent to live with his grandmother. Later, when Art's father remarried, he acquired another young sister named Valarie who also unfortunately died at the age of two. For three years straight, England was heavily bombed day and night. Art often recalled running down the street to the brick shelter, never knowing if and when a bomb might strike him.

Life for young Art was filled with days of hardship and poverty. From a young age, he knew all too well the feeling of being hungry. Food was hard to come by, and the little money his grandmother earned barely got them by. Art enjoyed raising Chinchilla rabbits as pets, and attended the area schools where he enjoyed playing soccer and paled around with friends. He continued to keep in contact with childhood friends in England, Dennis and Joann Hunter, Roy and Margaret Wilkinson, and Allan and Brenda Smith.

In 1950, Art's mother and stepfather moved to the U.S. and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With much of the country destroyed and a economy facing huge debt, Art continued living with his grandmother in England. His first job was working as a carpenter in a furniture factory which also made caskets. It only took one scary incident, and Art quit on the spot! He also delivered groceries on his bike to make extra money.

In 1954, Art was drafted into the British Army during the Suez Canal Crisis. Due to his poor eyesight, they initially declined his entry, but the focus of a major world conflict, they needed every able bodied young man. He was posted to Egypt where tensions were high. While there, he served as a guard at the Sweet Water Canal, often patrolling the perimeter. After servicing in Egypt, Art returned to England. For the next three years, he worked on a farm and in a local paper mill. Art's life was forever changed when he received a call from his mother in the U.S. Her husband was ill, and she needed Art to help care for him. Not long after, Art arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan which was to become his new home.

When Art applied for a job at American Boxboard in Grand Rapids, he did some quick talking to be considered for the job. He was first assigned to drive a Hilo which he absolutely knew nothing about. After taking out the sprinkler system, he began working mixing dyes for various shades of paper. With no previous experience in paper making, Art worked hard, spending all his spare time learning the trade.

After some time, Art decided to return to England. As fate would have it, just one week before leaving in 1959, Art agreed to go on a blind date with a young woman named Martha Bishop. On a double date, they went to the drive-in theater which was an entirely new experience for Art. When he asked Marti at intermission if she'd like anything, Art had no idea what a hamburger and fries were. Thinking it easier to give her $20, she could then get it herself . . . and being smooth with a young woman was not one of Art's strongest traits! The next day, Art and Marti spent the day in Grand Haven together which began a shared, lifelong commitment of companionship and love.

Art became quite smitten with Marti, and the feeling was mutual. So genuine in his eyes, she was the real deal! Since Marti was still in high school, and Art seven years older, their relationship didn't go over well with her parents, but Art soon won them over. On September 3, 1960, Art and Marti were married in Grand Rapids at a Christian Reformed Church. After spending a memorable honeymoon in Frankfort, Michigan, they happily began their lives together as husband and wife. In Marti, Art found a priceless treasure and felt extremely blessed for the rest of his days.

Art supported his new bride while continuing his job at American Boxboard until arriving for work one day to find the place shut down without notice. He worked moving houses and at various other jobs, and even though he was laid off several times, he never desired to collect unemployment. Of all his jobs, Art counted working at a farm in England as his favorite. He appreciated the peaceful setting outdoors and working with the heart of nature.

They lived on Nelson street in Comstock Park before moving to Wyoming, Michigan where they raised their family. As a couple, Art and Marti could not have children, however, they came to adopt two children to love as their own. When they went to Blodgett Homes in 1967, there was no doubt that Sue was the little girl for them. Their son, Kenneth came into their lives in 1970. As a father, Art was loving and protective. As a family they camped at Silver Lake and other places in Michigan, and traveled to Nashville and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In 1985, Art took a very meaningful trip back to England which healed many old wounds for him.

Art was proud of his family, especially the wonderful adults his children came to be. He dearly loved his grandchildren, and felt truly blessed. He possessed an uncanny sense of humor and was quite talented.He knew the best punch lines and interjected them at precise moments. A friendly sort, he was a stranger to none and could strike up a conversation with anyone. More of a talker than a reader, when it came to music he loved the sounds of Roger Whitaker. He collected coins, stamps and, along with his grandsons, sports cards. Art also enjoyed attending Grand Rapids Christian Schools football games.

With meager beginnings, Art looked back on his earlier years and never allowed those experiences to define him. He learned from a young age it was up to him to create his own happiness, and that is just what he did. The little things in life meant the most to Art. He was determined to never go hungry again, and when he had his own family, he stocked the cupboards and freezer full.

Art's story begins and ends with a common thread of determination and hope. He believed in himself, and no matter the obstacles, he looked for the good. What a legacy he leaves to those he knew and loved, but most importantly, it is his love that will be remembered most.

Mr. Arthur A. Dawson, age 78, of Grand Rapids, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Art is survived by his wife of 53 years, Martha, his children, Susan and Terry Hogle, Ken and Tracy Dawson; grandchildren, Nicholas, Andrew, Michael, Alexandrea, Emma; great-grandchildren, Sunny and Maria; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim and Marilyn Bishop, Charles and Irene Skala; beloved cousins in England, Peter Dawson, Tony and June Richmond, Martin and Rosie Brown, Pauline and Kevin Pilkington; and dear friends, Ed and Audrey Smith; his beloved cat, Bailey. Relatives and friends may visit with Art's family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes-Van Strien Chapel 1833 Plainfield NE on Sunday, March 30, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM and for one hour prior to the service. A service to celebrate Art’s life will be on Monday, March 31, 2014, 11:00 AM at the Van Strien Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Make-A-Wish Foundation are appreciated. To read more about Art’s life, sign his guest book and to leave a memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.