Dennis Richard Dawson

DAWSON, Dennis Richard - Age 97, of Fenton, passed away Friday, April 19, 2024.  Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM Tuesday June 4, 2024 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adeline St. Fenton. Fr. David Harvey celebrant. Visitation will be held at the church Tuesday June 4, 2024 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM.  Burial will be at 2:00PM Tuesday June 4, 2024 at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly.  Those desiring may make contributions to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Dennis was born December 1, 1926 in Detroit, the son of Bruno and Anna (Grebba) Dawson.  He was a veteran of WWII enlisting prior to graduating high school as a result of his deep patriotism and served in the U.S. Army attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant and spent the majority of his enlistment in Europe.  

He married the girl of his dreams Joyce Adeline Stein on February 2, 1952 in Detroit. They made a life together for 72 wonderful years which in itself serves as a testament to his caring nature.

Dennis went on to become a renowned jeweler in the Detroit Metro area and owned and operated Wachler and Horwitz Inc. for over 50 years.  Being deeply religious, he was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church for many years and was also an active member and volunteer for St. Mary Magdalene Parish. In addition, he was involved with the Boy Scouts as well as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts.

He was a husband, a father, and grandfather but much more than those titles.  
Dennis was a man of conviction and also compassion and possessed a strong moral compass yet was sympathetic to anyone in need of guidance.  Being a loving, caring, and patient man he served as mentor to many and someone to emulate. He had a profound positive effect on all of his children.  Dennis will be missed but lives on in the people he touched in life. 

Surviving are: his wife of 72 years, Joyce; children, Alan Dawson of Fenton, Dr. Gail Dawson (John Asselin) of Grand Blanc, Gary (Eunice) Dawson of  Hauppauge NY. and Diane Wilks of Rochester; grandchildren, Dr. Carl, Dr. Alex (Ashley), and Dr. Drew (Danielle) Kure, Brett Dawson, James (Aly) Zyrek, and Katelyn and Jake Wilks; great-grandfather to Lily, Madeline, and Ava.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Arnold Dawson.