Howard Franklin Dawson Jr.

Howard, known as “Jack” by those close to him, was born on May 25, 1937 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Howard and Ruth Dawson. The Dawson family moved from Iowa to Nebraska during Jack’s early years and he grew up in the town of Bellevue. Jack graduated from Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska and attended Creighton University until he transferred to Georgetown University and settled in Washington, DC.

Jack earned his Bachelors Degree from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. It was in Washington, DC that Jack met his bride, Rose, whom he married on August 26, 1961, beginning a loving marriage of 62 years. Following military service in the United States Army, Jack was hired by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an imagery analyst. Jack and Rose settled in Northern Virginia where they continued to live for over 55 years, raising their three children.

Educated in the Jesuit faith, Jack sought to better himself in all aspects and relished learning and exploring the world around hm. Honest work, loyalty to family and friends, charity, and service to his country, defined who he was. Through his life, Jack engaged eagerly with friends dear and casual and simply loved living, learning, and getting to know his fellow man.

In addition to excelling and rising to the senior ranks in the analytic cadre during his distinguished 35 year career at CIA, Jack was widely respected among his CIA peers as a patient mentor and role model to the younger officers. However, Jack tended even more to nurturing his family, giving countless hours to cultivating the interests of his three children and in time, his four grandchildren. Of note, Jack was a masterful soccer coach to his daughter Amy’s travel team for nearly a decade.

In retirement, Jack and Rose enjoyed twenty years of traveling, including to Europe and many trips to the East Coast beaches. Jack also took up golfing and enjoyed many fine days on the green. He also loved reading, watching World Cup soccer, cheering on the New England Patriots, and streaming classic movies including “The Guns of Navarone” and “The Bishop’s Wife”. Of special note, Jack was a deeply devoted grandfather to his four grandchildren. Jack’s temperance, his stoicism — especially remarkable in the face of illness —, and his unwavering love for his family, define his legacy.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Ruth Dawson, and his sister Marilyn Fricke.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Rose; daughter Laura Durback (Gerard) ; daughter Amy Hessler (Anthony); son Howard Dawson, III (Wendy), all of Virginia; and four grandchildren, Natalie Hessler, Ashley Hessler, Melissa Durback and Sean Durback, all of Virginia. He is also survived by a brother, David Dawson, of Katy, Texas.

Viewing is from 6PM to 8PM on Sunday, January 7 at Demaine Funeral Home (10565 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030). A funeral service will be held at 10AM on Monday, January 8 at Demaine Funeral home. A burial service will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park at 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA, 22032. After the burial a reception will be held back at Demaine Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to United States Fund for UNICEF; CARE.