Edwin "Jack" Smith Dawson

Edwin (“Jack”) Smith Dawson passed away peacefully at St. Tammany Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Paris, Missouri on November 11, 1931, he was preceded in death by his parents, Blanche Hayden Engle Dawson and Oldham Smith Dawson, and his beloved wife of over fifty years, Joan Loraine Oubre. He is survived by his sister, Joanne Dawson Embree; daughters Janet D. Bucher (Lou) and Susan D. Livaudais (André) and son Mark Dawson; grandchildren Adam, Meredith, and Emily Bucher, Ailleen Dorgant and Hayden Livaudais, and Justin and Brandon Dawson; and great grandchildren, Colette Dorgant and Avery Battey.

Known as “Jack” in his hometown of Paris, MO and “Ed” in New Orleans, Ed was a true renaissance man. He was an avid musician who played the drums and other musical instruments during high school in Paris MO, in the U.S. Air Force Band in Korea, at Preservation Hall, and even more recently at age 92 with The Geno Delafose Band at Rock-N-Bowl. Ed was also a pioneer in developing and growing blueberries and founded The Waldheim Blueberry Farm over forty years ago. He frequently consulted with and provided information to LSU’s Department of Horticulture on his progress developing and growing blueberries in Louisiana. 

Ed was also a devoted Catholic who regularly attended mass and daily rosary prayer gatherings. He was a very proud veteran who served in the Air Force on the front lines of the Korean War. During basic training and before deployment to Korea, Ed was most proud to have saved the lives of three teens who were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico in Corpus Christi, Texas. After discharge from the Air Force, Ed joined the U.S. Postal Service where he rose to the ranks of Postmaster.

A private ceremony was held on June 1^st at St. Joseph Abbey with Fr. Damian Zablocki officiating. Bagnell & Son Funeral Home of Covington, LA handled all of the arrangements. Ed wishes a heartfelt thanks to all of those who have been supportive of him over the years, especially to those at the Windsor and to Juliette, Cathy, Kevin, Nadia, Matt, and Mandy.