Bradley Gordon Dawson

life story

Semper Fi

You fought hard, you kept the faith. Well done my good and faithful servant.

Bradley Gordon Dawson, 79, St. Francis, MN, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Mpls VA Hospice on April 15, 2021 after extended recovery from heart surgery. He is now free and resting in the arms of Jesus

Survived by Wife of 56 years, Ruth McCarty Dawson; Daughter, Ruth Dawson MacAllister; Son, Tom (Candy) Dawson; Grandchildren Anastacia and John MacAllister, Megan Dawson and Kali Jo (Ronnie) Kremers; Brother Wayne (Gail) Dawson; Sisters Janet (Gary) Hansen; Coleen (Greg) Morton; Claudia Dawson; Tami Kauakea (Geno) Winston; Multitudes of nieces, nephews and friends. Preceded in death by parents, Harold Jay and Evelyn Buchanan Dawson.

Brad was born March 14, 1942 in Milaca, MN. During his early years, Brad lived in Milaca, Two Harbors, Big Lake. He had lots of funny stories about getting in to mischief growing up on the farm with brother Wayne and sister Janet. Eventually they moved to the big city and he attended Fridley High School where he met a friend of his sister Janet: his future wife Ruth McCarty. She was 14 and he was 16. He left high school at age 17 to join the US Marine Corps. Brad got his GED in the service. (He would have been part of Fridley High School Class of 1960) Brad was stationed in Kodiak Alaska before it became a state. He travelled to Okinawa, Japan; Thailand and Viet Nam.

He mailed an engagement ring to his sweetheart from the Service. She was 16, he was 18. When Brad got home, they eloped to Webster, South Dakota on October 19, 1964. They paid two farmers to be witnesses. They ran their own neighborhood grocery store for a time in Dayton, MN. He spent many years working for his parents behind the meat counter as a butcher at Dawson’s Market in Anoka, MN.

In 1976, he moved the family out to the dirt road country life on the banks of the Rum River in Isanti County. There were many bonfires, canoe trips and tubing rides on the river. He called St. Francis, MN home. He attended St. Francis Baptist Church since 1980 and had many youth events and bon fires at the river homestead. He was also a pitcher for the church softball team. He retired but worked part time in the town. He moved from a house on the river just north of town to a new place just south of town and could always be found making a quick run to the store for some Diet Mountain Dew or Dairy Queen.

Brad was a huge Twins Fan, loved Gopher Basketball and the Vikings. In his younger days, he could roll a mean bowling ball and loved the Boundary Waters, where he had many trips camping there. He loved to watch old westerns, military movies and Gunsmoke with the grandkids when they were younger. He was the best fishing buddy and spent countless hours at the end of a fishing line with the grandkids too. He was always at the Grandkids basketball, softball, soccer, and hockey games. Almost all the kids on the teams called him Grandpa.

People fondly remember that he always had a funny joke or story to tell. Most of all he always told people God loved them! His faith was the kind that could move mountains. He was gentle and generous, he was humble and kind, and he loved Jesus.

He was proud to be a United States Marine. He fought the good fight til his very last day and never quit trying to stand up and keep going.

And when he gets to heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell:

“Just another soldier reporting sir, I’ve served my time in Hell.”

Visitation and Celebration of Life service held at First Baptist Church, 22940 St. Francis Blvd NW, St., Francis, MN 55070

Visitation: Tuesday, June 15 from 6-8pm

Celebration of Life Service with military honors, and luncheon to follow: Wednesday June 16 at 11am

Private family service arranged with Fort Snelling National Cemetery

memorial service

Homegoing and Celebration of Life Service

June 16, 2021

First Baptist Church 22940 St Francis Blvd NW, St Francis, MN 55070, USA

VISITATION: Tuesday June 15, 6-8pm at Church.

Refreshments provided after Celebration of Life Service on Wednesday.

Private Family Service and Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services