Extracted from The Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, TX)
David Fleming Dawson
David Fleming Dawson, 84, passed away on February 7, 2011.He was born on September 16, 1926 to W.A. and Lurlein Fleming Dawson. He was a retired mathematics professor at the University of North Texas. He graduated from Denton High School in 1944; he received a B. S. in mathematics with high honors from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in 1947; a M.S. in mathematics from U.N.T. in 1948, and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1957. He served in the U. S. Navy in Washington, D.C. from 1951-1953; he taught mathematics at University of Texas, George Washington University in Washington, D.C., University of Missouri at Columbia and from 1959 to retirement in 1985 at U.N.T.
On June 5, 1948 he married Catherine (Katy) McCarty of Wichita Falls, and he and Katy were very fortunate to had more than 62 years together of family fun, travel and shared interests. They were blessed with six children: Dr. Dan Paul Dawson of Dallas, David R. Dawson and wife, Linda of Garland, Sharon Ann Dawson of Denton, Donald K. Dawson and wife Aurora of Denton, John W. Dawson of Denton and Catherine Sue Dawson Boswell of Nashville, TN. Special joys were their grandchildren: Damon Boswell, Tara Leigh Boswell, Nathan Dawson, Isaac Dawson, Colby Dawson, Miranda Dawson, Mariah Dawson, two step-grandchildren, Evan Froeschl, Meagan Froeschl, and three step-great-grandchildren.
He was a member of the American Mathematical Society and First United Methodist Church in Denton, TX. He loved teaching and also doing his mathematical research having published over 40 papers in the field of analysis, continued fractions, and infinite series in various mathematical journals both in the United States and abroad. He gave many talks at mathematics meetings all over the U.S.
He had a deep passion for music-all kinds-pop, classics, opera, golden oldies, and country. Both his brother and sister were accomplished musicians, and upon being asked if he were also a musician, he would reply, “Well, musicians have to have an audience. I fulfilled that role in the family.”He took pride in his yard; the flower part he left to Katy, but the edging, trimming, mowing, and “neatening” were his areas of expertise.He also loved tinkering and fixing things, especially electronics.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Gloria Dawson Johnson, and his brother W.A. Dawson, Jr.
A memorial service will take place Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church in Denton with Rev. Matt Gaston and Rev. Lisa Marshall officiating. There will be an opportunity to visit with the family immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ann's Haven Hospice/VNA, First United Methodist Church, or The Alzheimer's Association.
Thursday, February 10, 2011