Leonard Dawson

Leonard LeRoy Dawson, Jr. went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, December 26, 2008, after a short illness with cancer. He was born in Little Falls, NJ on December 16, 1924. His parents were Leonard LeRoy Dawon, Sr. and Marie Dessoir Dawson. Mr. Dawson served in the United States Air Force as a pilot and later as the head of the 3393rd Instructor Squadron where he retired at Keesler Air Force Base in 1969 with the rank of Major. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all he met.
Mr. Dawson was a member of the Retired Officers Association of America and the Military Officers Association of America. He financially supported several ministries across the United States, including the 700 Club, Operation Blessing, Prophecy in the News, Word for Living Ministries, American Center for Law and Justice, and John Hagee Ministries.
Mr. Dawson is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Donlen, and his devoted wife, Donna.
He is survived by his son, Leonard L. (Linda) Dawson, III of Crosby, TX; his daughters, Claudia (Ronnie) Gideons of Northport, AL and Cheryl (George) Black of Gulfport; his grandchildren, Lindsay Dawson and Matthew Dawson both of Crosby, TX and Shannon Black and Heather (Michael) McClantoc of Gulfport and his great granddaughter, Delaney Leigh McClantoc of Gulfport.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, from 6-8pm at the Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2008, at 12:30 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Biloxi, with full military honors.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Operation Blessing International, 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463. For more information, please call (228)539-9800.