Obituary of James Richard Dawson

James Richard Dawson - July 1, 1936 � September 18, 2013 James Richard Dawson, 77, Indianapolis, IN, formerly of Bloomington, IN, slipped peacefully into the arms of God on September 18, 2013, surrounded by his family. Jim was born in Fond du Lac Wisconsin, the only child of the Rev. Cecil Vernon Dawson and Helen Orena (Greider) Dawson. He moved around the state with his family, as his father was appointed to various Methodist churches. He spent his elementary school days in Gillett, WI, junior high and two years of high school in Rhinelander, WI, and graduated from Milton Union High School, Milton, WI, in 1955. He attended Milton College while working nights at the Chevrolet Assembly Plant in Janesville, WI. He then transferred to Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, where he received an Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology in 1959. Jim was a crash crew firefighter with the Air National Guard in Wisconsin and Oklahoma. He was a member of The American Legion, Burton Woolery Post 18 in Bloomington, IN. On June 10, 1959, his father officiated as Jim married Martha Catherine Bromley, daughter of Fred G. and Ruth (Hackett) Bromley, at the LaGrange Methodist Church, LaGrange, WI. His first job took the newlyweds to Salem, MA, where he worked as a fire inspector for the Mutual Fire Inspection Bureau of New England. Later he took a job with The Home Insurance Company. He attended the College of Insurance in New York City for six months before working in the Milwaukee, WI office. Next he took a job as Industrial Safety Director for Amron Corp., Waukesha, WI, where he was active in the Waukesha Safety Council. During that time, he was certified in CPR, a new emergency medicine tool, by the doctors who were developing the standards for it. He was a CPR instructor and instructor trainer for many years for both American Red Cross and American Heart Association. In 1969, he was hired by Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, where he served as Fire Safety Engineer for 30 years, retiring in 2000. Not content to just work one job when there were so many opportunities for saving the world, he served on many boards in Bloomington. In 1970, he was a founding member of Bloomington Township Volunteer Fire Department and helped build a training program to serve neighboring departments. In 1978 he decided to run for Bloomington Township Trustee and served 20 years (in his spare time), elected to a 4-year term five times. He had responsibilities for Poor Relief as well as the Fire Department. In 1985, Jim was named Trustee of the Year by the Indiana Township Association. When fire training opportunities in Indiana were scarce, he took teams of firefighters to the Texas Fire School at College Station, TX. He was in the first class of EMTs trained in Bloomington. Jim was a member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains, and served as department chaplain even after he was no longer able to fight fires. Jim and Martha were active in church wherever they lived, holding many offices and singing in choirs. In Bloomington, memberships included St. Mark�s UMC, United Presbyterian, and Arlington UMC. In 2008, Jim and Martha moved to Westminster Village North in Indianapolis, IN, to be closer to family members and take advantage of a continuing care setting. Since moving to Indianapolis, they have attended Christ Presbyterian Church. Jim was a devoted and caring husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed traveling and participating in family activities. He is survived by Martha, his wife of 54 years, two daughters and sons-in-law, and four grandchildren: Heather and Kyle Cudworth, James and Christiana, Williams Bay, WI; Jamie and Mike Strebing, Hannah and Sarah, Indianapolis, IN.; a cousin, Nancy Kwapil (Keith), Racine, WI., and extended family in Wisconsin. A memorial service will be held in the Social Hall at Westminster Village North on Sunday, September 22, at 4 p.m. with Chaplain Vern Farnum officiating. Another service will be held at Arlington United Methodist Church, Bloomington, IN on Saturday, September 28 at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Round Prairie Cemetery, LaGrange, WI at�4 p.m. on October 13, followed by a gathering at LaGrange United Methodist Church. Attendees at any of these services are invited to wear red, Jim�s favorite color. The family suggests memorials to any of Jim�s churches or to The Westminster Foundation, 11050 Presbyterian Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46236. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI is assisting the family.