1950-2026
Leonard Ray Dawson, age 75 of Malvern, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Sherwood, Arkansas. He was born in Jones Mills, Arkansas on July 6, 1950, to the late Samuel Ray Dawson and LaVelle Bryant Dawson. Len was a proud graduate of Magnet Cove High School and later attended Henderson State University. He spent much of his career in supervisory roles and for many years he served as Code Enforcer for the City of Malvern. He was a member of Butterfield Missionary Baptist Church.
In his free time, Len enjoyed fishing and watching Razorback sports. In his younger years, he was an avid athlete who played golf, football, basketball, and men’s softball, and he loved coaching his sons, Kyle and Matt, in their youth sports.
Above all, Len loved his family. He cherished holidays, fishing with his grandchildren, and watchiing them play sports. Known for his wisdom, he was always ready with advice or a good story.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cheryl Gassman Dawson, to whom he was married on August 1, 1976. They shared 49 years of marriage before her passing in 2025.
Len is survived by his children, Kyle Len Dawson and Matthew Ray Dawson; his grandchildren, Eli Dawson, Ty Dawson, Kori Beth Dawson, and Kaleigh Dawson; by a great-grandson, Wayne Dawson; and by his close friend, Charla Lightfoot Mathews.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Jean Crumby.
Len’s family will have a celebration of his life at a later date.
