Marty Kernan Dawson

Marty Kernan Dawson, 66, went home to be with the Lord following a brief illness at 1:07 pm on November 11, 2019 at Shannon Medical Center. He was born on July 15, 1953, in Hobbs, New Mexico, the son of Olan “Larry” Layton Dawson and Bobbie Lawanda Jones Dawson (Graves). He attended Lovington Schools through his junior year of high school and completed his high school education in Houston, TX. He returned to Lovington to marry his junior high sweetheart, Renee Hancock, on July 31, 1972, with the couple making their home in Houston, TX. Marty graduated from an area police academy in 1973 with active service in the Rosenberg and Hobbs Police Departments and later the Lea County Sherriff’s Department. He was highly skilled in firearms qualifying as a Distinguished Expert Marksman. Upon leaving law enforcement, Marty enjoyed a career in the Hobbs-Lovington oil and gas industry working as a mud-engineer, landman, and various supervisory positions. As a master wood-working craftsman, he and his wife ran their own business for a season creating beautiful, high-quality cabinets. He retired in 2014 and moved to San Angelo, TX to focus full-time on his role as “Poppy”. He loved fishing, hunting, and golfing and was a member of PaulAnn Church. Many know that he created the sweetest melodies on the guitar but may be unaware that his skill was self-taught and that he played by ear. However, by far, his favorite pastime was simply being with his family whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Willie Pearl Jones, whom he affectionately called “Mama Jones”; his father, Larry Dawson; and his mother, Bobbie Graves. Marty is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Renee Hancock Dawson; daughter, Lisa Price and husband, Sterling of Sonora, TX; daughter, Mandy Osborne and husband, Michael of San Angelo, TX; grandchildren Makinna Price, Sarah Osborne, and Dawson Osborne of their respective homes; brother, Jay Douglas Graves of San Angelo, TX; and sister, Nancy Barfoot of Brandon, Mississippi. He is lovingly remembered by many friends and family. A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, November 23rd at PaulAnn Church 2531 Smith Blvd, San Angelo, TX 76905. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Marty in a special way may make a monetary donation to the PaulAnn Church building fund “Believing For More Initiative”. Donations may be mailed to the address above or made online at http://paulann.org/uncategorized/believing-for-more-initiative/. Please include “In Honor of Marty Dawson” on the memo line.