James Ross Dawson

James Ross Dawson, 90, passed away on December 21, 2015, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, SD. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no service. Interment will take place at the Bon Homme Cemetery near Springfield, SD. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD is assisting with the services.

James Dawson was born in Union County, SD, on August 8, 1925, the only son of Fred and Margaret (Storm) Dawson. He graduated from Hawarden High School in 1943 and married Lois Jean Harris in 1946. They had three children: Deborah, James Douglas, and Nancy. He served in the US Army as part of the occupation of Italy following World War II. In 1978 he married Karen Steen, and they bought a home on Lewis and Clark Lake near Yankton, SD, which he remodeled extensively, doing most of the work himself.

Jim spent most of his life either farming near Hawarden, IA, or as a piano salesman and tuner in the Sioux Falls and Yankton areas. He was very proud of the fact that he once tuned pianos for Van Cliburn, Count Basie, Woody Herman and other famous artists. A lover of big band music and a string bass musician, he formed a combo called "The Rainbeaus", a popular group that played for dances in the northwest Iowa region in the early 60's.

Jim's other favorite pastime was fishing, and over the years he made many fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada. He had varied interests and was a talented woodworker, crafting miniature buildings for his model railroad and other items. He also liked to travel, exploring historical sites throughout the United States, Europe and the Panama Canal. In his later years, Jim spent many hours enjoying the company of his beloved dogs and the beauty of Lake Yankton.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Dawson; his three children and their spouses: Deborah Jean (John) Polich of Encinitas, CA, James Douglas (Wallace Bowling) Dawson of Chicago, IL, and Nancy Lynn (Randy) Devaney of Castle Rock, CO; and a sister, Dorothy Green of Estherville, IA.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Miriam Leuthauser of Yankton, SD.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Heartland Humane Society, 3400 East Highway 50, in Yankton, SD 57078.