Melvin Bruce Dawson

Melvin Bruce Dawson was born to Christine and Lloyd Dawson on November 3, 1931 in
Comanche County, Oklahoma. At age eight he moved to Weed, California with his parents,
sister Margaret Ann, and brother David Lee. He attended Weed Elementary and Weed High
School. In high school he was a star athlete in basketball and was very proud of the fact that he
set the Weed High School scoring record with 47 points. This was in the days before the
three-point line!
In 1951 Mel joined the Air Force with five buddies from Weed. They were all going to join
the Coast Guard but Mel was colorblind and they wouldn’t take him; his friends then refused to
join the Coast Guard and went with Mel to the Air Force instead. Mel served in the Korean War
as a supply sergeant and flew missions from Fukuoka, Japan to Seoul, Korea.
In 1951 he married the love of his life, Bertilla Boffo. They were married for 72 years. They
enjoyed spending time with their family, golfing, and traveling to Reno. Melvin loved to play
poker! Bertilla was the love of Melvin’s life. She was always his shining light! He cherished his
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild. Not a day would go by without
him sharing stories about them. His pride in their accomplishments and the love he had for
each of them shone brightly in every story he told.
Melvin built a bookkeeping business with the support of Bertilla that lasted 52 years. He then
continued to do taxes for seven more years. He ran his last tax return when his vision failed in
2015. Melvin was also dedicated to his community serving/working in many different roles
including: Weed Elementary School Board for 22 years during which time he was instrumental in
getting the WES gym built, the Siskiyou County Grand Jury, the Weed Museum Board, the
LAFco State Commission, and the Weed Junior Golf Association.
Melvin is survived by his wife Bertilla Dawson of Weed, Brother Danny (Dawn) Dawson of Elko,
NV, Brother-in-Law Chuck Chitwood of Mt. Shasta, Sister-in-Law Dolores Dawson of
Spokane,WA, Son Rodney (Patc) Dawson of Weed, Son Gregory (Darlene) Dawson of Weed,
Son David (Jodi) Dawson of Kalispell, MT and Daughter Roxane (Gilbert) Akers of Redding. He
has 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
As we remember Mel, we reflect on a life lived with love, hard work, and strength. His impact
was deeply felt by those around him. His legacy of love, dedication, and service to his family
and community will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends.
A celebration of life will be scheduled in the spring of 2025.
**Memorial Contributions can be made in memory of Melvin Bruce Dawson to
The Weed High School Hall of Fame Scholarship Program-Melvin Dawson
P.O. Box 515
Weed, CA 96094

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