Gerald Alvin Dawson, 80, of Knob Noster, Missouri, died Sunday, May 15, at the Warrensburg Veterans Home.

There will be a Masonic service at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Warrensburg Veterans Home, immediately followed by a funeral service with Fr. Joe Miller officiating. Interment will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville with full military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2513 and American Legion, Post 131.

Visitation will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Veterans Home.

Gerald was born Oct. 9, 1935, in Riverhead, New York, the son of Harold F. and Rose (Kujawski) Dawson. He resided at Greenport, New York, prior to enlisting in the United States Army. He served as a LPN in the Army, retiring in 1974. Gerald was united in marriage to Mary Lou Atherton on Dec. 31, 1975, in Kansas City. The couple moved to Knob Noster in 1978. He was a third degree Mason with Knob Noster Lodge 245, AF & AM.

Survivors include one sister, June Petruccelli and husband, Angelo, of Patchogue, New York; his friends, Jeanie Copper, of Knob Noster; and Judi Williams, of Sedalia, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou, and four brothers and one sister.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Warrensburg Veterans Home.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.