Edwin L. Dawson of Lubbock passed away peacefully on January 25, 2015 at the age of 90. A celebration of his life will take place at Earth United Methodist Church at 303 E. First St in Earth, TX on Wednesday, January 28, at 2:00 pm. The Rev. Charlie Johnson of Earth UMC and the Rev. Bob Field of First Presbyterian Church of Lubbock will officiate. Services are being arranged through Ellis Funeral Home in Earth.

Ed was born on January 28, 1924 in Tulia, TX to Boyd and Gussie Dawson. He grew up with his beloved siblings, RB and Gladys, on a farm east of Tulia, and graduated from high school at the age of 15. In 1939, he enrolled as a freshman at Texas Tech University, where he majored in animal husbandry. From 1943-46 he served in WWII. He was a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, where he flew transport planes over the “hump” from Burma to China. After the war ended, he returned to Tech in the spring of 1946. During that semester, he met his future wife, Norma Cleavinger, also a student at Tech. They were married on Dec. 21, 1946, in Earth, Texas. Ed completed a master’s degree at Tech in 1948. Ed, Norma and their infant son Ken moved to the Springlake-Earth community in August of 1948, where Ed farmed for the next 60 years. Ed and Norma moved to Lubbock in 2009.

Ed was active in numerous civic organizations. He served on the Lamb County Soil and Water Conservation District Board for 30 years. He served on the first Lamb County Hospital District Board and the Springlake-Earth School Board. He was a long-time member of the Lions Club. He was an initial investor and served on the Board of Directors for Estacado Industries Sheep Division. He was very active in the Earth United Methodist Church, where he served in many leadership capacities. He was a staunch Democrat and loyal supporter of the Red Raiders.

Ed was beloved by many for his gentle spirit, keen mind and wry wit. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, R.B. Dawson, Jr.; sister, Gladys Crouse, and granddaughter, Bethany Griffin. He is survived by his wife, Norma; sons, Ken and wife, Nancy, of Tulia, and Clint, and partner, Troy Bodley, of Austin; daughters, Joan Lucas and Marsha Crawford of Midland, and Marian Griffin and husband, Nathan, of Carrollton. He had 9 grandchildren; Dale (Ashby) Dawson, Dana (Bill) Schwant and Dan (Jackelyn) Dawson, David Lucas, Doug (Stacy) and Kevin Crawford, and Rachel, Philip and Matthew (Ali) Griffin. He had 3 great-grandchildren; Peyton, Everly and Kovic.

The family requests that memorials for Ed be given either to Earth UMC, 303 E. First St., Earth, TX, 79031, or First Presbyterian Church, 3814 130th St., Lubbock, TX, 79423, or to the charity of your choice.