Joe Roy Dawson

Joe Roy Dawson peacefully passed away on June 12, 2025, after a long illness. He was born on February 18, 1953, in Abilene, Texas. His parents relocated and settled in Midland, Texas when he was two years old. Upon graduation from Midland High School in 1971, he joined the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He often reminisced about his experiences and destinations on the USS Springfield guided missile cruiser. After receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1974, he attended Texas Tech University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1978. In 1983 Joe formed Dawson Natural Gas Services, Inc. He specialized in all facets of natural gas measurement, treating and processing, custody transfer and laboratory analysis. Other areas of expertise of DNGS included gas contracts, gas accounting and through-put systems. In 1998 he sold Dawson Natural Gas Services to JW Operating Co. of Dallas. Joe met his soulmate and best friend, Lori Jons in 1992 and they were married New Year's Eve 1995 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Midland. They shared a wonderful life together of nearly thirty years bonded first and foremost by their faith and love for the Lord. They made so many special memories, working together professionally, enduring and supporting each other's "special projects", traveling and nurturing their deep commitment of love and devotion to one another and family. Joe formed Centurion Gas Corporation in 1999, which owned and operated oil and gas investment properties. He continued consulting work and audits of revenue, recovery gas plant accounting and problem solving through accepted engineering and industry practices. In 2001 he decided to retire from the oil and gas industry and was ready to find a different direction, with a purposeful objective. After "retirement", he joined his wife's company, L&J Designs, LLC and expanded her residential/hospitality design company. He engaged in the commercial construction/renovation side of the business for twenty-two years until he became ill. You never found Joe's office, truck or the kitchen counters at home without architectural plans piled high, working on take-offs to bid commercial flooring jobs throughout the state of Texas. With an aptitude for being an engineer minded and technical scientist, he thrived on analytical aspects of projects and recruited and managed his crews throughout West Texas. Joe always supported Lori on her projects and accompanied her when travel was involved for her worship/retreat facilities, residential and hospitality clients. Joe was active in the Christian community in various capacities. He was the founding organizer of Boy Scout Troop 225 for St. Stephens Catholic Church and Scoutmaster for many years. As a member of Knights of Columbus, he received honors of Third-Degree Knight in 1995. He also served as Minister of the Eucharist at St. Ann's Catholic Church and participated in Men's Community Bible Study. Joe was appointed and served Boy Scouts of America and Texas Trails College as Commissioner of Science and was a graduate of the 2002 class of Leadership Midland. He was a skilled outdoorsman, very patriotic and fascinated with Texas history. After being diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, Joe created a music playlist with only one song, the historic but somber "The Ballad of the Alamo". It inspired his internal battle cry of resolve choosing to be brave in defiance of his diagnosis and determined to beat cancer. He never gave up, endured aggressive treatment and fought the good fight until the very end. Joe was predeceased by his father, Ken Dawson, sister Debra Dawson and uncles Tommy White, Richard White and James White. He is survived by his wife, Lori, mother, Fannie Mae Dawson, son, Jeremy Dawson and his daughters, Payton and Taylor, brother, Jim Dawson, sister, Jamie Crawford, aunt and uncle Doris and Bob Williams, aunt, Trena White, sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Ben Bancroft, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and his beloved fur babies George and Gracie. The family is filled with gratitude for the extensive and compassionate medical teams in Dallas and Midland, caregivers and all the friends who accompanied Joe & Lori on the prayerful and difficult journey to the end. A visitation will be held Friday, June 20, 2025 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at American Heritage Funeral Home, 4100 N. FM 1788, Midland, Texas. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Midland, Texas. A Military graveside burial will be at 11:30 p.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials directed in Joe's memory to The Oblate School of Theology, 285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78216 or St. Ann's Catholic Church, 1906 West Texas Avenue, Midland, Texas 79701 or the charity of your choice.

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Joe Roy Dawson

February 18, 1953 - June 12, 2025