H.R. No. 471
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with the
passing of George Dawson of Dallas on July 26, 2017, at the age of
96; and
WHEREAS, The son of Scottish immigrants, George Dawson was
born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 29, 1921, to George and Mary
Dawson; as a young man, he raised homing pigeons on the roof of his
apartment building and learned to play the violin, the piano, and
the trumpet, marking the beginning of his lifelong passion for
music; shortly after graduating from high school, he married the
former Gertrude Becker, and he became the proud father of a
daughter, Diane; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Dawson served in the U.S.
Army as a trumpeter in a USO dance band, and after the war, he
studied music at North Texas State University; he went on to enjoy a
rewarding career as a bass player for the Dallas Symphony
Orchestra, and in the off-season, he performed with several bands
and taught classes on such varied topics as music appreciation,
ballroom dancing, and fencing; and
WHEREAS, On October 31, 1952, Mr. Dawson wed his second wife,
the former Kim Garrett; they shared 57 years of marriage before her
passing in 2010, and they became the loving parents of three
children, Kim, Lisa, and George; while continuing to perform with
the symphony, Mr. Dawson became interested in photography and
established himself as a successful commercial and fashion
photographer, taking part in shoots at locations around the world,
including Kenya, Thailand, Peru, Greece, and Ireland; after
retiring from photography in 1982, he went to work managing his
wife's modeling and talent business, the Kim Dawson Agency; and
WHEREAS, A man of many interests, Mr. Dawson was an avid
tennis player and an art collector, and he counted studying French,
attending the opera, and traveling with Mrs. Dawson among his
favorite pursuits; he especially delighted in the time he spent
with his grandchildren, Chris, Dana, Taylor, Lauren, Anna,
Kimberly, and Aidan, and his great-grandchildren, Guerin and
Dawson; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his kindness, his generosity, and his
devotion to his family, George Dawson lived life to the fullest, and
the wonderful memories he leaves behind will long inspire all who
had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
George Dawson and extend heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and
many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of George
Dawson.
Meyer
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 471 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on August 15, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House