Hicks "Hal" Arch Dawson Jr.'s Obituary
DAWSON, JR., HICKS “HAL” ARCH A professional writing career that began at age 13 and spanned eight decades ended for this native Dallasite with death on May 23, 2012. Born at Baylor Hospital in 1932, Hal participated actively in Dallas civic and business affairs for more than 50 years. As public relations manager of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce he played a role in the administrations of Dallas Mayors Bob Thornton and Earle Cabell and managed public relations for Dallas Love Field. He also helped organize the first Terlingua chili cook-offs in the 60’s. Reared and educated in Mexia, he was honored as an All-State football player and All-American musician. An honor student and graduate of SMU, he was editor of the university newspaper and played trombone in the Mustang Pigskin Revue band. He was a member and officer of numerous honorary, professional and social organizations at SMU, including Cycen Fjodr and Lambda Chi Alpha. He earned an MSJ degree from Columbia University, where he met his beloved Peggy. Wed in 1954, their love grew stronger until Peggy’s death in 2010, as they journeyed to Europe 16 times and traveled all over North America. Hal worked on newspapers in Texas and North Carolina before military service in which he graduated from the Army Intelligence School and was editor of the Fort Bliss News. He was Regional PR Manager for Mobil Oil in Dallas and Kansas City and during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s helped pioneer financial relations in the Southwest as an officer of the region’s leading agencies: Tierney, Fournier and Engleman. He had been associated for nearly 25 years with Garrett Metal Detectors as editor of its prize-winning Ram Publishing subsidiary. Hal was active in the Dallas Press Club and numerous other organizations, including the Armadillo Breeders Association and the Big D Hank Society, both of which he was Executive Director. Survivors include two sons and four grandchildren: David of Austin, on the music faculty at Texas State University, and John, his wife D’ana and son Connor of Plano. John’s oldest son, Taylor is a West Point graduate; his youngest son, Garrett, is a student at Texas Tech; and his daughter, Kendyl, is a student at the University of Arkansas. A brother, Jimmy of Deer Park, and a sister, Mrs. Nancy McCurrin of Corsicana, also survive along with numerous nieces and nephews. Service will be held at 3:00pm, Saturday, May 26th at Restland Wildwood Chapel.
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