Retired Staff Sgt. Gregory L. Dawson, 63, of Abilene, Kansas, passed away Sept. 5, 2021.
Gregory was born Sept. 3, 1958, in Emporia, the son of Virgil Louis and Minnie Thelma Dawson. He graduated Waverly High school in 1976.
Gregory enlisted in the Army National Guard March 6, 1976. He served with the 1st Battalion, 127th Field Artillery as a cannon crewman and section chief, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. He transferred to the 35th Division Military Police Company and held the position of squad leader.
He served as acting platoon sergeant for the 35th MP Company’s 4th Platoon in 1990 and received a commendation for service while stationed at Fort Riley. He served with the state Combat Rifle Team from 1983-1984, participating in all Army matches at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1984.
Gregory served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Riley in the first Winter Reforger exercises in January 1979. He retired from the military April 1996.
He married Theresa Dianne Lynes in Burlington Sept. 20, 1980 and together had two daughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his uncle Ivan Merle Dawson
He leaves his wife, Dianne; his daughters, Jennifer Burnett and Tamara Dreasher; grandchildren Daniel, Summer, Damian, Drake, Jacob, Gabriel, Luna many other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.
Memorial contributions may be made to Coffey County Cancer Support Group or Elsie Brooks Cancer Fund of Dickson County and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.
On-line condolences can be left at https://www.jonescampbellfuneralhome.com/obituary/gregory-dawson