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Charles F. Dawson passed away peacefully August 23, 2024, at Country Living of Larned.  He was born December 9, 1925, in Stillwater, Okla.

At the age of 5 he moved to Great Bend where he had resided ever since. Upon graduating from high school in May 1944, he entered the U.S Army Air Corps, and proudly served as a engineer of a B-17 bomber, earning the rank of PFC upon his honorable discharge on Nov. 5, 1945. After the war had ended, he went onto Elgin watchmakers school and became the head watch maker at Komarek Jewelers in Great Bend.

In October 1947, Chuck married Dorothy Mae (Herren), and later co-founded and operated Dorrels Jewelry from 1953 to 1960 and Dawson Jewelers, Inc., from 1961 to 1990. They owned and operated the business until Charles' retirement in 1990.

On November 3, 1990, Chuck married Roxanne (Fursman), in Iola, Kan. During the 1950s and 1960s, he was an avid hunter and co-founded Cheyenne Archers in Great Bend. Charles Performed many demonstrations to promote target and bow hunting, which was a new sport at that time. In the lates 1970s, golf became one of his favorite pastimes and continued to play well into his 90s.

Chuck was past president if the Kansas Jewelers Association and Great Bend Noon Kiwanis Club. He also supported numerous other organizations to enhance and promote the town of Great Bend.  Being proactive and community minded, Chuck developed several investment properties during the 1980's, a time of recession, to help the community's economy.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 33 years, Roxanne; two sons, Dana Dawson of Great Bend and Kent Dawson (Kelli) of Tampa, Fla.; daughter-in-law, Diana Dawson or Great Bend; three grand daughters, Kelsey Dawson, Karlie Dawson and Rebecca Dawson.

Visitation will take place from Noon to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Funeral services will take place at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Larry Schumacher presiding. Military Rites will be conducted by the Ft. Riley Honor Guard.  Interment will follow at a later date at Colony Cemetery, Colony, Kan.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Wounded Warrior Project or Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.