Clifford Irving Dawson

It is with great sorrow and regret that we announce the passing of Clifford Irving Dawson on January 6, 2023. His great faith in our Lord Jesus Christ has taken him home to God's great Kingdom. Family and friends will always remember him as a devoted and loving father. A person who was passionate about his community and his faith.

He is survived by his wife Barbara and his eldest son Todd and wife Kristin, youngest son Paul and partner Karen, granddaughters Atiana and Jocelyn. Clifford was born in Cleveland Ohio, to the parents of Calvin and Margaret Dawson. He spent his youth growing up in the streets around his home playing all kinds of games. He Loved the movies. Every Saturday he and his friends would catch the matinee at the local theater and watch the westerns. He loved his movies.

Clifford attended Collinwood High School and went on to Ohio State University. He earned his degree in industrial design with a minor in liberal arts.

After college, he taught middle school art in the Cleveland School District for a year. Though he loved the kids, he couldn't handle social politics. Cliff and Barbara were married on June 13, 1964, in Ashtabula, Ohio. On a road trip with his best friend Ronald Wooding, he applied at IBM. Two weeks later he accepted a job offer from IBM as a draftsman. Clifford and Barbara were off to California, where they landed in a small apartment in San Jose. They saved every penny and two years later they bought their first house off of Beegum Way, a cozy rambler, perfect for the two of them. Both sons Todd and Paul were born in this house where many fond memories were created.

In 1970, they built their dream home in Morgan Hill. Clifford had always wanted to design his own home. With his design background, he designed the house and they had it built by a local builder.

He spent his entire career at IBM as an industrial designer. He designed computers, ATM machines, and computer-related products. During his career he was charged with designing executive office interiors, IBM donated an exhibit hall at The San Jose Museum of Art, and he designed a series of exhibits. These exhibits featured the American Indians, Tall Ships, the Arts, and many more. This showed IBM's commitment to diversity both inside and outside the community.

One of his most celebrated works of design was the set for Madam Butterfly for Opera San Jose. It was commissioned by Irene Dallas, the renowned opera singer. For many years he also designed Christmas sets for Grace Hill Presbyterian church.

Clifford has been a contributor to the Morgan Hill community for over 50 years. Cliff and Barbara have been members of the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. Their contributions to that community have been vast and long-lasting.

Clifford Dawson was loved by his family and the community he served. He will be sorely missed, but he has gone to a better place where we will see him again one day...

Published in Morgan Hill Times · January 20, 2023