James "Jim" C. Dawson

James Cameron Dawson, “Jim” (78) left this earth for his heavenly journey on October 15, 2024, at Gundersen in La Crosse, WI. 

Jim was born on February 8, 1946, in Oelwein, Iowa to Cameron and Florence Dawson where he attended school until the age of 17 when he hopped a Greyhound and went to his Grandparents in Platteville, WI. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for four years and then four years of Reserves and was honorably discharged. Jim finished his GED and graduated from Radioman school with a top-secret clearance. While he was waiting for his deployment orders, Jim served as a member of the National Honor Guard at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. He was assigned to a communication flagship, the USS Mt McKinley (AGC-7) from 1965 until his discharge from active duty in August 1968.

Jim returned to Platteville, WI after his active duty. He worked in the construction of homes, at UW-Platteville, Parkview Terrace, and at the East Dubuque Foundry. He met his wife, Jeanne M. Lancaster when he moved to Platteville and they were married at the United Methodist Church, Platteville, WI on August 2, 1969. 

Together, they created and lived a beautiful life….creating memories that are cherished. They moved to Lakeland, Florida in 1973 where they would travel – the Keys, Disney World, Alligator Valley…..but soon became homesick and moved home while they figured out “what next”. They moved to La Crosse, WI in 1976 – purchasing land and moving a mobile home to Chaseburg, WI where he built their home in 1983. Jim was a man of many talents and did Route work for Hood Dairy, Wonder Bread, and Accrete Dairy Supply, he was a Mechanic for Montgomery Ward s and Goodyear Tire Company, maintenance for Coulee Children’s Center, construction, and the last fourteen years of his working career at Dalco, Inc as Shop Manager. Jim retired in 2010 and focused on his life on the Mississippi River in the home he had remodeled from a “shack” on Shore Acres into a beautiful home. He would spend days in the fishing or pontoon boats- fishing off the dock at nights and again “making those memories”. 

Together, Jim and Jeanne worked hard, played hard, and created their own family when Joe was born in April 1980.

Joe was the miracle in their lives and a Father was never prouder! He encouraged both Joe and Jeanne to follow their dreams and get their college degrees and he was their biggest cheerleader! His Family was his proudest achievement- completed with Raina, Julian, Ira, and Jemma.

Jim had major health issues in 2018- spending five weeks at Mayo in Rochester, MN. He survived against the odds and returned home- enjoying life. In 2024 Jim began experiencing more health issues with the consensus of Drs agreeing that it was Agent Orange caused from his deployments in Da Nang, Vietnam. He had a spinal stroke in June 2024 and became paralyzed from T4 (nipples) to his toes. He was treated at Gundersen until July 8 when he was transferred to the Spinal Cord Injury Center In Milwaukee WI. Jeanne promised him he would come home- and that he did on September 4, 2024!

Jim provided friends and family great memories with his spirit and his mischevious endeavors – the latest being his wheelchair experiences in the back yard and living room…never a dull moment!! 

Jim is survived by his wife, Jeanne of fifty-five plus years, his son, Joseph James, Raina and Grandchildren Julian, Ira, and Jemma, his very special in-laws Connie (“Bruce”) White of DeWitt, Iowa, and Molly Wallenhorst of Thorp, WI, Randy Zasada of Brantwood, WI, and Peg Lancaster of Viola, WI and lots of nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews and four Cousins, Susan Roepke of Hazelton, Iowa, Carol Torrey of Phoenix, AZ, Tom Dawson of Independence, Iowa and Deanna Dawson of Mankato, MN.

Jim was predeceased by his Granddaughter, Grace; parents, Cameron and Florence, half-brother and wife, Larry and Nancy Fidler grandparents, AR (Mutt) and Leona (Kane) Wilkinson, Kenneth (KC) and Lydia (Harms) Dawson, his in-laws, Russell and Dorothy Lancaster, Butch, Bruce and Shelly Lancaster, Roger (Gator) Wallenhorst, and Karen Zasada.