Steven Stafford Dawson

Steve was born at Las Vegas Army Airfield to Donald and Eloise Dawson. His first memory was of drowning, as he was swept away in the current of the Carmel River at age 2, while he calmly watched his father run along the bank and dive in to save him. This near death experience would prove to be quite foreshadowing, as he lived a life of daring and adventure, packing it full to the brim with meaningful experiences and relationships.

He grew up running through the deserts of Nevada, learning to hunt, fish, and deal cards. His younger years were spent in Hawthorne, and later Reno and the Jack Creek Ranch. He worked his way to a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Nevada, Reno, by dealing in local casinos. In his college years he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, made lifelong friends, and never missed an opportunity to go hunting or fishing.

He was honorably discharged from the Air National Guard in 1968 and from the US Air Force in 1969. Soon after he joined his brother Raymond in Homer, Alaska, where he worked for Fish & Game before going into an eventful career in commercial fishing for king crab, followed by herring and salmon processing. He met Katie Merle-Smith on a blind date, and they were married in 1976, eventually having two children, Will and Nick, in 1979 and 1981. In 1986, he moved the family to Dillon, Montana, where there are markedly fewer volcanoes, tsunamis, and opportunities to sink boats. Here, he partnered with his lifelong friend Barry Figg to operate a business owning and maintaining gambling machines. His children remember going on his route with him, and seeing how he treated everyone he encountered in the course of his workday. Patrons would brighten up as he came into an establishment. It seemed he knew everyone's name, everyone's story, and treated everyone like an old friend. He was a very active member of First Presbyterian Church in Dillon.

The last phase of his life was marked but not defined by a 14-year battle with Parkinson's disease, which he endured with characteristic good cheer, resilience, and commitment to living life to its fullest. For as long as his body allowed, he regularly played his guitar and sang at nursing homes, took part in church and community activities, cheered on his grandchildren at school activities, fished and taught others how to fish, golfed, traveled, and had outdoor adventures.

In 2016, along with his wife Katie, he joined his sons in the Orthodox Christian Church at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Butte, where he was active until the end of his life.

Those who knew him would say that he was defined by his hospitality, generosity, and his treating of all with dignity and respect. People from all walks of life called him a friend. Everyone he met felt like they were important to him, and everyone was always happy to see him. For him, every job in his career, every hobby, and every trip to town was a chance to connect with people, to meet them where they were without judgment.

All his life, Steve loved guitar playing, fly fishing, hunting, trading old guns, golfing, and aviation. He loved to write, and his poems, stories, and legendary Christmas letters displayed his playful wit and sense of humor.

Steve is survived by his wife Katie, his brother Raymond, and his two sons, Will and Nick and their families.

There will be a viewing on Monday, 5:30pm ~ 6:00pm,  Prayer at 6:00pm, Dec. 9th, 2024 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Butte, Mt. 

The Funeral Service will be Tuesday 10:00am Dec. 10th, 2024 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Butte with Interment at 11.00am in Mountain View Cemetery in Butte. Reception to follow interment back at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church.