Charles Edward Dawson

Charles “Charlie” Edward Dawson passed June 29, 2025, in Indianapolis. Born on August 5, 1932, in Columbus, OH, Charlie lived a life filled with love, laughter, and an unyielding dedication to his country and family.

A proud retired veteran, Charlie joined the United States Army in 1950—shortly after his graduation from Terre Haute Wiley High School—and faithfully served in the Army and the Indiana National Guard until his retirement in 1993. His commitment to duty and excellence was evident as he was a founding member of the Indiana National Guard Ceremonial Unit and a member of the Indiana National Guard Adjutant General’s Honor's Staff. After retiring from active duty, he continued to serve his fellow soldiers for another 20 years in the Protocol Office at the Adjutant General’s Office, showcasing his unwavering dedication to service even beyond his military career. One of his proudest accomplishments was participating in the Honor Flight, an experience that filled him with honor and joy.

Charlie's warmth and loyalty made him a beloved figure among his family and friends. He had a special knack for making others feel at ease and creating an environment where laughter thrived. His passion for life was clear in his hobbies and interests. He was an obsessive reader of history books, with a library of over 5,000 books. He was also an avid baseball fan, particularly devoted to his Pittsburgh Pirates. He also enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, he enjoyed all things Pittsburgh, where he spent much of his childhood. In his younger years, Charlie was quite the good athlete—playing semi-pro baseball in 1949 and boxing and playing football in the Army, where he suffered a career-ending shoulder injury in 1952 that he’d frequently remind his children of for the entirety of their lives.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Irma, who died in 2020. They were married for 55 years. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Selma; his brother John; and his sister Maggie. Charlie is survived by his children, Emily Hill, John Dawson, and Jim Dawson (Missy); his cherished grandchildren, Wolfgang Dawson, Andrew Dawson, and Rachel Dawson; and his dear sister, Ruthie Jett.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Charlie's life, Thursday, July 10, 2025. Service will be held at 9:00 a.m. followed by visitation from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Flanner Buchanan- Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220.