Johnny Paul Dawson was born August 17, 1953, at Valley Park, Missouri, to John Richard Dawson and Doris Jean (Shelton) Dawson. He passed away at his home in Mountain Grove, Missouri, on April 18, 2026, at he age of 72 years, 8 months and 1 day.
Johnny attended Mountain Grove High School in Mountain Grove, Missouri. On December 6, 1971, he married the love of his life, Diana Lynn Boykin. They have been together for a total of 56 years.
Johnny worked at Brown Shoe Company in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Cabool, Missouri, for many years. He also worked for a time at the Tobin Hamilton Company Inc., a manufacturer of athletic footwear, in Mansfield, Missouri.
As an avid outdoorsman, Johnny enjoyed fishing, camping, and hunting. He especially treasured hunting for the highly prized Morel mushrooms. He also loved raising and tending to his chickens. And everyone knew Johnny craved Hershey’s candy bars. But what he truly adored was spending time with his family. He cherished playing with his grandchildren and being involved in other family activities, such playing a game of pool.
His parents, son John Edward “Buck” Dawson, and brother Richard Dawson, preceded him in death.
Johnny is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diana L. Dawson; son Rickey Dawson (Jessica) of Bendavis, Missouri; daughter Deana Helums (Jamie) of Norwood, Missouri; daughter-in-law Billie Dawson of Mountain Grove, Missouri; grandchildren Keith, Rayna, Corey, Rod, Gracie (Max), Tyler (Hunter), Kierra, Dustin, Preston (Morgan) and Weston; great-grandchildren Hayley, Paisley, Braelynn, Xander, Maddox, Knox, Remi, Oakleigh, Blair and Xander; brother Carl Dawson (Debbie) of Mountain Grove, Missouri; sisters Pat Naugle (Bill) of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Myra Karges (Jordan) of Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Julie Dawson of Cabool, Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews and other loving family.
