Adrian Dawson

DAWSON - Adrian Charles Dawson, age 90, born May 9, 1920, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Adrian completed his earthly journey on March 31, 2011. He was welcomed home by his heavenly Father, parents, Charles and Ella (Kuyper) Dawson, brother-in-law, George Arehart, New Comberlin, WV, Uncle Fred and Aunty Glena Dawson, Bury, England, UK; many relatives and friends from Cincinnati, OH and Grand Rapids, MI area. He graduated from Dayton Kentucky High School, Calvin College, and Michigan State University. He served 4 .5 years in the U S Army during World War II. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Irene (Dryer Kopczynski); his children, Charles (Lois) Dawson, Champaign, IL, Arlene (Larry) Hillary, Rockford, MI, Mary (Tom) Epplett, Spring Lake, MI, Paul (Savannah) Dawson, Elk Rapids, MI, Esther (Dennis) Howse, Jenison, MI, Martha (Greg) Ferguson, Grand Rapids and Manistee, MI; the mother of his children, Marjorie (Ornee) Bishop, Grand Rapids, MI; step-daughter, Diane Kopczynski (Jay) Volkers, Baldwin, MI; 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; his sister, Alice Arehart, Salem, OH; cousin, Colin Dawson, Bury, England, UK; sister-in-law, Eva (Jim) Sneathen, Grand Rapids, MI. Adrian was a teacher at Grand Rapids Christian High, Grand Rapids Junior College, and Michigan State University. He retired from Grand Valley State University (1977) where he and his staff registered the first class of 226 students in September 1963. He also coached GVSU,S first inter-collegant varsity sport, golf. He was a Renaissance man with many interests: music, from trad-jazz to opera; travel and taking photographs all over the world which he shared with retirement homes, clubs, friends, and family plus he enjoyed all sports, as a player, coach or spectator. He was a member of Fountain Street Church and Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Assoc. and a past member of the Grand Rapids Optimist Club. The family would like to thank the staff at Holland Home - Fulton Manor-Van Andel Pavillion for the special loving care they gave Adrian. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. No visitations. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Freshmen Scholarship Fund at Calvin College. Memorial Alternatives 2432 Fuller NE 363.3700 www.memorialalternatives.com