Milton Richard Dawson of Seaford passed away at his home on Monday, June 29, 2020. He was surrounded by his family as he left this world to be with his beloved wife, Sharon. Born on June 25, 1944, he is the son of the late Walter and Carolyn Dawson of Bridgeville.
Milton was a graduate of Woodbridge High School. He enjoyed playing on the school’s football team, earning the nickname Mad Dog, and hanging out with his friends. His friends will all tell you that he was a lot of fun and a genuine good guy. They have many wonderful memories of the times they spent with Milton.
After high school, he went to work at Dupont to save up enough money to pursue his passion in the culinary arts. During this time, he met the love of his life, Sharon Louise Russell. It didn’t take long for him to realize that she was the one for him. They got married, he finished culinary school, and they began their family. Life in the food industry took him and his family to many different locations from Delaware to North Carolina. After many years of moving his family from one place to another, he and Sharon were finally able to call Seaford their forever home.
Milton enjoyed traveling with his wife. One of their favorite trips was to load up their dog, Abby, and head for the mountains. No matter where you said you were going, he would be able to recommend a good restaurant. He was an avid photographer. He enjoyed taking pictures of their adventures, especially the wildlife and nature. There was never a stray animal that showed up on their doorstep that didn’t find a home. Their love and kindness to animals was something that they passed along to all of their children.
He was extremely proud of all of his children and grandchildren. They gave him a reason to live and kept him going after the death of his wife. He was a lot more sentimental than he let on. He sent his grandkids cards for all of those special occasions and he told anyone who would listen about the things his children and grandchildren had accomplished. He kept cards from his children, he cut out newspaper clippings about his sons when they were in the military and he kept photo albums with pictures of his daughter’s weddings. He loved his family.
His family would like to say a special thank you to the members of Crossroad Community Church that welcomed Milton and Sharon into their family and then continued to support Milton after the passing of his wife and during these last few years dealing with his declining health. They would also like to say a special thank you to the Vitas Healthcare team that took such good care of their loved one for the past several years. He was able to live his life as he wanted because you were there to take care of his medical needs. You were all truly a blessing to him and his family. A special thank you to the private care providers that were there to help take care of his personal needs and providing companionship when family was not able to be there.
He is survived by his four children; Judy Forse of Delmar and her husband Wayne and two sons (Kevin and Troy); Angela Ryan of Selbyville and her husband Nick; Christopher Dawson of Seaford; and Scott Dawson of New Windsor, NY and his wife Jessica and two daughters (Victoria and Mia). He is also survived by his sister, Donna Grimes and her daughter Kristy Tyndall of Bridgeville.
In addition to his parents, Milton is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Sharon Louise Dawson.
In lieu of flowers, the children suggest contributions in memory of their father to either of the following: Vitascommunityconnection.org (on-line contributions) – Checks payable to Vitas Healthcare, 30265 Commerce Dr. Suite 202, Millsboro, DE 19966 or Crossroad Community Church, 20684 State Forest Road, Georgetown, DE 19947. Donations may also be made on-line by visiting their website.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by his children.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.