Patrick K. Dawson Sr.

Patrick K. Dawson Sr., age 77, died Saturday, March 21, 2015, at home, after a brave fight with cancer, surrounded by family. He was born in Waurika, Oklahoma on March 31, 1937, son of the late William and Alease (Nee: Collins) Dawson.

Pat was a graduate of St. Gregory’s High School, Shawnee, OK “Class of 1955”. Furthering his education he graduated from Regis University, Denver, CO “Class of 1963”. Pat proudly served his country in the United States Army. On August 29, 1964 Pat was united in marriage to Mary Catherine “Katie” Johnson, at St. Patrick’s Church in Racine.

His career spanned many years in various management positions while employed by Manufacturer’s Life, and Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company in St. Louis, MO. He and his family relocated to Racine in 1980, where he purchased Eagle Luggage Company from Katie’s parents, Norm and Jane Johnson.

During college, Pat was the President of the rodeo team, and enjoyed the sport of bull riding and bronco riding. Pat was an avid reader with a passion for travel. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, particularly in his beloved Colorado. His priorities in life were his family and his Catholic faith. He was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He was loved dearly and will be sadly missed. Pat’s affectionate personality, friendly greeting, and contagious smile added a little sunshine to all who knew and loved him, including casual acquaintances.

Survivors include his true love, Katie; children, Patrick K. (Michele Kramer) Dawson of Milwaukee, Liz (Gary) Rolain of De Pere, WI, Tom (Erin) Dawson of Madison, WI, Maggie (Tom) Cowing of Durango, CO, Stephen J. (Alison) Dawson of Chicago, IL, Sheila (Rob) Cooper of Atlanta, GA, honorary daughter, Beata Olson; 9 grandchildren: Eleanor Dawson, Nicole, Sarah and Jessica Rolain, Emily and Jack Dawson, Elizabeth Clementine Dawson, Clay and Lucy Cooper; sisters: Portia (Bert) Griefenberg of Glenwood Springs, CO, Sheila (Mark) Zipse of Grand Junction, CO, Debbie Dawson (Dean Gordon) of Glenwood Springs, CO; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Tom (Ann) Johnson of New York, Peggy (Scott) Reynolds of Little Falls, NJ, Jane (Larry) Chiles of Lexington, KY, Julie (Mark) Darnieder of Milwaukee, Karen (Steve) Sokal of Winnetka, IL; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents, he also was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-law, Norman (Jane) Johnson and his nephew, Scott Johnson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 28, 2015, 11:00 A.M. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1100 Erie Street, with Rev. Antony Thomas officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the funeral home from 4:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. (A Prayer Vigil at 6:30 P.M.) Memorials to St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Catherine’s High School, or to the Dawson – St. Jude Scholarship Fund at Regis University have been suggested.

A special thank you to Dr. Michael Mullane and staff and Hospice Alliance caregivers for their loving and compassionate care.