Left to right: Jamie, Mike, Michele, Gary, Cindy and Chuck, on Gary's 52nd birthday.

Charles "Gary" Dawson

September 9, 1952-October 12, 2004

A Tribute From:
Cindy Dawson, Donor Wife

On February 27, 2004, my husband's and my world came crashing down upon us. Our plans to grow old together came to a screeching halt. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Gary had worked all of his life as a finish drywaller and painter. He loved to fish, watch the deer in our yard (we live in the country), and feed the birds. Occasionally we would go to the casino and he would get so excited when he won. His idol was John Wayne. He had his voice and walk down real good. A lot of people said he looked like Al Bundy. He played his guitar and sang while he played. I often told him he couldn't sing or play a tune. He always laughed.

Gary had his 52nd birthday on September 9th. I threw him a surprise party on September 11th as he had never had a party before. I had to tell him of the party on September 10th as I had to take him to the emergency room. He almost didn't make it. He stayed up the whole day and he told me he had the time of his life.

On October 2nd we celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. Gary died on October 12th. Gary wanted to donate his organs, but with all the red tape, he couldn't. However, they were able to take his eyes.

I received a letter thanking me for his eyes. They went to a woman in Niles who can now see. He would be so happy. He had such gorgeous blue eyes.

Gary was taken in the prime of his life. He is missed every day by me and his children. He is now in heaven with our little girl, Stacy, who died in 1978, our granddaughter, Samantha, who died in 1998, and his mother, Olive, who died in 1974.

To the woman who received his eyes, you got the love of my life's eyes. Please think of him often. Gary would like that. It would mean the world to him.

Cindy
His Loving Wife