Ed Dawson, 79

Ed Dawson, 79, formerly of Mountain Home, died Wednesday March 31, 2004, at the Idaho Veterans Home in Boise.

Edgar Hughes Dawson was born Aug. 31, 1924, to William and Pearl Dawson of Kuna. He was one of 10 children.

Ed attended school in Kuna and was a member of the football team. He held a paper route and took odd jobs whenever possible.

After completing the eighth grade Ed began working to ease the burdens imposed on such a large family. His jobs included beekeeper, sheep herding, and general farm hand.

"He had many interesting stories to tell about his experiences while working at those jobs," his family said.

Ed joined the Navy as WWII broke out and he served in the Pacific honorably. At the end of his enlistment Ed returned to Idaho where he began working for the Union Pacific Railroad as a signal maintainer. While with the railroad Ed was a member of the Elks Lodge, coached a girl's softball team and was an avid bowler.

He remained with the railroad until the mid 1960s. He then began driving truck for the Laurrea Brothers, hauling hay and grain. In the late 1970s Ed began working for Willis Shaw as a security guard, where he remained until he retired.

He was married three times during his life and as a result had three children he called his own as well as five stepchildren.

His survivors include: Edrie Warner of Caldwell, Billie Hanna of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Linda Hanna of Burley, and their children.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and all nine of his brothers and sisters.

Ed lived in Kuna, Caldwell, Ontario, American Falls, Boise and Mountain Home as well as other communities throughout Idaho and Oregon.

"He was well known and liked by many and his teasing witty humor will be missed by all," his family said.