- Date Of Birth: August 9, 1942
- Date Of Death: August 25, 2022
- State: Colorado
Chris Dawson
August 9, 1942 – August 25, 2022
Chris was born in Long Beach, California to R. Lynn and Marjorie Dawson. He was the
youngest of three boys: Donald Dawson, who died in 2010 and was married to Nollie Lei (Santa
Barbara), and Rodger Dawson, who also lives in Santa Barbara, California with his wife, Gwen.
Their paternal grandfather served in the Spanish American War and their maternal great-
grandfather served with the Union Army in the U.S. Civil War.
Chris married Linda Lennon in 1962. Their daughter, Jennefer (Garcia), was born in 1963.
Born in 1967 was David (Dawson). Chris married Jill Young (Dawson) in 1970. Their daughter,
Natasha (Hogan), was born in 1976 (married to Braxton) and their son, Nicholas was born in
1978 (married to Sara). Chris is survived also by six grandchildren: Adelyn and Roen Hogan, and
Corbin, Brecken, Nixon, and Preston Dawson. A grandson – the family angel – Cayden James
Dawson, preceded his PaPa in death. Chris married Tracey (Mumey/Porter) in 1997 and she
remained his spouse in Parker, Colorado, until his death.
Chris graduated from Hoover High School in Glendale, California in 1960. He lettered in
track for shotput and played football (and that’s how he lost his front tooth). During high school
he developed a keen interest in marine biology, human anatomy, and physiology. As a teenager
he was selected to be on the crew of the Jada for the 1959 Trans Pac race from California to
Hawaii. This was a thrilling, formative experience for him that he talked about all through his
adulthood.
Chris held undergraduate degrees from California Poly Technic State University (B.S.
Marine Biology), in San Luis Obispo, and Colorado State University (Education). During his work
years, he was a California high school educator and gymnastics coach. In Colorado, Chris
worked for Martin Marietta on the Space Shuttle 51 project (1982-1984). He was honored and
excited to watch the launch of the space shuttle live from Cape Kennedy. Chris owned his own
telecommunications company for a time and sold real estate, but his true passion was realized
in 2001 when he first took a photography course from famed nature photographer John Fielder.
Chris was a brilliant wildlife and landscape photographer. His work graces many an
office and home wall. His photograph, “Lost Lake Early Winter,” was chosen by Denver
International Airport for public display in 2008. The Government of Tanzania brought him to
their country to photograph their southern national parks in 2005. He also made photographic
trips to Guyana in the Amazon, Europe, Africa, the American West and Southwest, Canada, and
all through Colorado. While in South Africa, the locals gave him the name, “Big Man with
Smile,” a description that perfectly captures all one really needs to know about Chris. He is
universally remembered for his wide smile, welcoming heart, and easy laugh, and he never met
a stranger.
October 15, 2022, at 1:00 pm
1700 S. Grant St., Denver, CO
Rooms have been reserved at the hotel for persons needing accommodations.
contact.
