DAWSON

JEREMIAH FRANCIS

Age 85, passed away February 23, 2026, in Rutherfordton, NC. Born August 15, 1940, in Pittsburgh, PA, he graduated from Montour High School and earned a B.S. in Metallurgy from Penn State University in 1962 on a math scholarship. He ranked in the top four percent of math students and was recognized by Pi Mu Epsilon. He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma.

He developed an incredible work ethic starting at age 11 as a caddy at Chartiers Country Club. He worked for Jones & Laughlin Steel, The Foxboro Company, and Moore Industries, managing operations across the southwestern United States and Latin America. He served as president of the Aliquippa Metallurgical Club and was elected Justice of the Peace in Hopewell Township.

He married Maryrose Foster on June 8, 1963, in Ambridge, PA. During their 20-year marriage, they lived in PA, MA, and TX and had three children, Dennis Alan Dawson (Laura), Holly Ann Hartwig (Mark), and Heather Lynn Dawson.

After retiring to NC, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and voting polls and enjoyed gardening, golf, and bridge, authoring "Double, Redouble, and Other Big Troubles!."

He was the friend everyone wishes they had, known for kindness, humility, warmth, and generosity.

He was the proud grandfather of Tucker James Hartwig, Kathleen Rose Maresh (Phillip), Dawson Ray Hartwig, Jeremiah Paul Hartwig (Hannah), Kevin James Dawson, Noelle Heather Hartwig, Samantha Jean Hartwig, Elise Holly Thuresson, Colleen Mae Dawson, Ava Lynn Thuresson, Evangeline Rose Thuresson; and great-granddaughter, Jane Honey Hartwig.

He is survived by his wife, Patsy Dawson (m. 2002); his children; and his siblings, James Dawson (Sally), Donald Dawson, and Patricia Dawson Kriger (Dan).

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Cornelius Dawson and Irene Evangeline Dawson; and his beloved grandson, Dawson Ray Hartwig (May 23, 1996 - January 27, 2017).

Funeral arrangements are being handled by GROCE EAST ASHEVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 856 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805.

A private burial service will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM, at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Highway 70 W., Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Following the burial, there will be a reception at Cleghorn Plantation Golf & Country Club, at 6:30 PM. A celebration of life will be held in Pittsburgh at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeremiah's memory to Habitat for Humanity of Rutherford County, 245 Oak Street, Forest City, NC 28043.