DIXON, CA (MPG) - Dixon lost a part of living history last Saturday when John Dawson passed quietly away at his home. He was 93 and much of a legend in Dixon to his past military service, involvement in politics, and his long-running newspaper column.

John was born to Fay and John Dawson, and had one sister, Dorothy (Wallace.) They grew up on the family chicken ranch at a time when roads to town were unpaved and the train still stopped in Dixon.

Both were active in Dixon Community Church over time.

“I admired him for the many years he served through the Community Church,” said Martha Dukes, another long timer of Dixon. “He was a great, steadfast supporter throughout church struggles.” He was also a columnist for this paper for a decade. It was called Curmudgeon’s Corner.

“I asked John to be the counter voice as a Republican to Maureen Southwell, a Democrat, when we started the Dixon Newspaper, now the Independent Voice,” said City Editor Debra Dingman. “He was a man to be esteemed and was always fair…and funny. He had quite a sense of humor and we—including my husband and youngest son--became wonderful friends.” John continued to pen his column when Dave Scholl became Publisher.

“Now, I have another friend in Heaven,” said Scholl. “John was a dear friend who was always a good supporter of the Independent Voice. Every year, he’d sponsor a pool party and barbecue for the IV staff. He was particularly fond of our son, Patrick, who got to wear his flight helmet.”

John graduated with the Dixon High School Class of 1948 and was a three-sport star while at Dixon High School, participating in football, basketball, and track while maintaining a good GPA. He was inducted into the Dixon Hall of Fame in 2017 for his outstanding sports achievements.

He placed first in the long jump and third in the 100-yard dash at the Superior California Athletic League meet during his sophomore year. He won first place in the long jump at the San Joaquin Section meet his senior year and was part of the first-place team in that 880 Relay and achieved a second place in the 440-yard dash, according to Dixon Hall of Fame records.

He was a captain on the Hall of Fame 1947 Championship Football team. After high school, John attended the University of California Berkeley where he played four years of football.  After college, John returned home to work on the family ranch. It was there he discovered his love of flying. He told the story many times of when he was a boy, a family friend who was a former World War I fighter pilot, flew over the farm for him. After saving and taking lessons, he became a member of the Air National Guard where he became a Colonel. He later decided to take an opportunity to sign on with Pan American Airlines where he went on to a satisfying 25-year career.

John Dawson’s father was a brother to the three Dawson (Restaurant/Bar) owners. John was a charter member of the Dixon Lions Club. He had three children Cristy, Diane and Jerry and lived on his Dixon ranch with his wife, Maxine, until his death.