Fred Dawson

Fred Dawson, 84, of Amarillo, TX went to see Jesus on February 15, 2020.

Born to Harvey and Faye Dawson on July 13, 1935 in granddad William L Mackie’s farmhouse. After graduating from Stinnett High School in 1954, Fred attended West Texas State, graduating in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in Education. He met the love of his life, Peggy (Dawson) Jones on July 12, 1957 and had three children.

In 1958, Fred began his career as a track and football coach in McCamey, Texas continuing in Spearman, Plainview, Friona, Odessa, Vernon, Levelland, and returning to Tascosa where he retired 1990.

Fred continued his education at Southwestern Oklahoma University, from which he received his Master’s in Education in 1974.

Anyone who knew Fred, knows he had a passion for sports, especially football. In Junior High, he played all sports.

Fred had a love for the Lord where he joined Paramount Christian Church (Hillside) and attended Fisherman Sunday School Class.

In his retirement years, Fred had a coffee group “with a fine group of men” at the United grocery store on Bell.

Fred is preceded in death by sister, Harriett Watson, and grandchild, Kelli Hicks.

Fred will be forever remembered by wife, Peggy Dawson of 62 years; daughters, Kema Hicks and husband Robert of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Christy Hensley and husband Rex, and Renee Gardner of Amarillo, Texas; grandchildren, Travis Hicks and wife Alissa, and Marlee Hicks of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keele Bryant, Jordan Baze, Shelby Hensley, and Lyndsey Graves of Amarillo, Texas; great-grandchildren, Jadelynn Graves, Oriah and Dax Baker of Amarillo, Texas and Chandler and Trey Hicks of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and brothers, Larry and wife Sparky of Arnett, Oklahoma, and Rooster and wife Rosie of Stinnett, Texas.

Viewing will be from Monday, February 17, 2020 – Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 9:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M. at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

A private family burial will be held before a celebration of Fred’s life at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, February 20, 2020, at Hillside Christian Church Chapel, 6100 S Soncy Rd., Amarillo, TX 79119. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Amarillo.

The family suggests memorials be made to Snack Pak 4 Kids, 701 Park Place Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101.

38 Replies to “Fred Dawson”

  1. Fred always amazed me with his cheerful attitude, given his health situation. We really enjoyed discussing sports, especially football, around Sunday School class. He was a man of obvious deep faith and convictions, admired by all who knew him.
    May God bless and comfort Peggy and family.

  2. Mr. Fred was a wonderful man full of love and humor. My time with him and our staff was so memorable. We love the entire family and of course our beautiful Peggy. We will the family comfort and peace. Kim Brooks/Ruby Slippers Homecare

  3. Peggy, I am so sorry for your loss. We all loved Coach Dawson! I remember him loaning me a tie and showing how to tie a Windsor knot at Tascosa. I loved playing for him and hearing more of his stories when I mowed your yard. A great man! God bless!

  4. He was a great inspiration to me as a young coach. I am so sorry for your loss. I am so proud to have known Mr. Dawson.

  5. Grandpoppy, it was so wonderful to know you. I’m glad you are able to rest, you fought a long fight and are so very loved. I know your spirit wont be far, as you watch over your loved ones from above. Please stay close to Jordan’s soul, you mean so very much to him and he wants to make you proud. Thank you for being such an amazing human being and now a heavenly angel. We love you and will see you again♡

  6. Rooster and Larry and your families—-so sorry for your loss. I got to know Fred after he retired from coaching and worked in the animal health business. He always had a smile and a good story to tell me, and the other company reps at Mullins’ Walco store.

  7. Prayers and much love to Fred Dawson’s family. He was a really good man! I’m so sorry for the pain and grief that comes with losing a loved one. This family is one of the greatest…..loving, caring, and kind! May God’s love and peace be with you.
    Love to you all!

  8. My condolences to the entire family. I got to know Fred through coaching in Amarillo for many years, and also played my senior year of football in Perryton during Larry’s first year there.
    Many young people are better for Fred’s having been in their lives. A good and honorable man. He will be missed.
    Respectfully,
    Don E. Williams
    AHS coach, retired

  9. Thank you everyone for your love and support. My Dad was raised by a single mom and knows how hard that is at times. As the oldest child , he helped his mom with his younger siblings and has offered support to his girls in the same circumstance. He and Mom has always been gracious and giving to us and many others. It’s no wonder that they choose to be Teachers. Some have committed on how tough he was as coach, he was just as tough and fearless thru his medical obstacles . My love always❤️- blond bomb

  10. Peggy, I sure hate this time you’re going through. We’ve been friends for a long time; it’s hard to turn loose of old friendships. Linda’s and my prayers continue for you and the whole family. My thoughts of Papa runs deep and long. A loyal friend would be an understatement.

  11. Enjoyed every minute around Coach Dawson during Football and Track seasons. Fine man that will be missed by all that knew him. Prayers for the Dawson family.

  12. My prayers for the Dawson family. Peggy and I taught together at Mesa Verde.. I enjoyed the times when we got to be around them both!
    Denise Matchett

  13. Fred coached me at spearman… He hit me harder with a blocking dummy than I ever got hit on the field…
    Good, intense coach that was always aiming at making you better, on and off the field…
    Glad he was part of my life…

  14. We all love Coach Dawson. I played for him at THS back in the day. He was one of the toughest, funniest, and nicest guys I’ve ever known. He’s also one of the reasons I got into coaching and teaching myself. Coach, you will always be loved, you live on in the guys that you coached, and you will live on in the guys that I have coached! My condolences and prayers for your family, neighbors, and friends. Thank you for everything, Coach Dawson!

  15. Dear Dawson family,
    We were so sad to hear the news. May the Lord comfort you during this rough time.
    Fred Thompson and family

  16. I enjoyed running into coach at Taco Villa during lunches. I was fortunate to have him as a coach in high school. Here lately I was able to have conversations with he and peggy. He was such a great story teller!
    I will miss you coach!
    David Quirino Jr.

  17. Fred coached me my senior year at friona, tough but fair, have nothing but respect for Coach Dawson! I have been blessed to meet both of his brothers in my life & am honored to call all three of them friends! My condolences to all of Fred’s family

  18. Great memories of Coach Dawson from his day’s coaching Jr High football at McCamey, TX. Condolences to his family from all his former Badger students.

  19. We moved to Amarillo in 1986. Fred & Peggy were our neighbors for the past 34 years. Fred was always keep and patient to our 5 children. I always enjoyed visiting with Fred in the front yard.

    The world is a better place because of Fred & Peggy.

  20. God bless Coach Dawson! He was my favorite Tascosa teacher, and I was blessed to be his teacher’s aide my senior year. His warm smile and kind word always cheered me up even if I was having a rough day.

  21. Will miss visiting with Fred at Hillside’s chapel service. Our prayers for his family at this time.
    Jerry & Judy Cook

  22. Coach Dawson made our son’s (Doug) football days at Tascosa High some of his and our best memories. The 1977 football team won the district and gave Coach the game ball. All of those young men loved Coach. He was one of a kind!
    We send our love and prayers to Peggy and the rest of the family.
    Judy and Mickey Wilson

  23. Best coach ever!!! Taught me so much about toughness and life!!! Great man, loved him like a father!! Always called me Horse!! Still love that nickname!! Thoughts and prayers to his family!!

  24. My family all loved Fred.
    I’m not sure how he felt about coaching 7th/8th grade girls basketball, but I loved him as a coach. And I had him for history and Driver’s Ed. Tough but fair always.
    God rest his soul.

  25. Truly, Coach Dawson was an amazing coach and an incredible guy. As one of his athletes, I saw him encourage and push athletes to be their best over and over again. He is who you want your son to grow up to be…

  26. Larry and Rooster- so sorry for your loss. It’s hard to lose a brother and my heart goes out to you. Prayers for comfort and peace for you and your families.

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