James Earl Dawn

SON | BROTHER | HUSBAND | FATHER | UNCLE | FRIEND James Earl Dawn was born December 14, 1954 in Ouachita County, Arkansas to the union of Buster and Lois Rideout Dawn, Sr. He accepted Christ and was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church. James was 1973 graduate of Bearden High School. He possessed a strong work ethic and was employed at Transit Tank in Fordyce, Arkansas as a welder for 35 years until he retired. By all accounts he was a “jack of all trades”. He was known as the “handy man” around town and used his skilled hands to repair, fix and replace things. He enjoyed fishing, playing dominoes, a good hand of cards and just having a good time. “Dawg” was his nick-name and he truly was the life of the party. One of his greatest joys was spending memorable moments with relatives and friends, both young and old. He will live on in the hearts of his loved ones and friends. He possessed a friendly spirit and never met a stranger. He meant what he said, and said what he meant. His natural wit and humor could never be duplicated. He was a person who didn’t mind helping anybody. Family, as well as friends, will miss his strength and sense of humor, but will never forget his spirit and compassion. He passed into the Lord’s embrace on Monday, April 10, 2017. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Donnie and Irene Dawn, Ester and Quintilla Lambert Rideout; his parents, Buster and Lois Rideout Dawn; and two sons, James Kevin Dawn and Derrick Parham, Sr.; a sister, Thelma Dawn Gordon and three brothers, Lee Arthur Dawn, Donnell Dawn and Terry Dawn. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 41 years, Rubie Mae Dawn of Arkadelphia; his son, Cameron Dawn of Arkadelphia and Patrick Eason of Arkadelphia, whom he cherished as a son; his grandchildren, Derrick L. Parham, II., Marcus Bolden, Alyshia Parham, Braylon Parham, Sequoia Dawn, Elijah Dawn and Lance Dawn; three sisters, Alice Dawn of Bearden, AR, Irene (Earl) Ross of Camden, AR, and Angela Smith of Savannah, GA; four brothers, James Marshall of North Little Rock, AR, Julius (Jewel) Dawn of Carthage, AR, Buster (Angela) Dawn, Jr., of Holly Springs, AR and Ricky (Patti) Dawn of Fordyce, AR; a special dear friend Nancy Williams; aunts, Margaret Meeks of Rockford, IL and Rev. Verla Purifoy of Rockford, IL; and a blessed mother, Ester Gregory of Holly Springs, AR. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, Dorethea Williams, Whimpey Pennington and numerous other friends. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 17, 2017 at Holly Springs Baptist Church in Bearden, Arkansas, Rev. K. D. Barker, pastor and eulogist. Public viewing will be held on Friday, April 14, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Interment will be at New White Springs Community Cemetery in Bearden, Arkansas.