MADISON- Dawson L. Drew, age 74, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at home with his wife by his side after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on April 27, 1948, in Portsmouth, Va., the son of Perry and Dorothy (Gill) Drew. Dawson and Nancy were married on Sept. 28, 1985, in Madison.

Dawson graduated from Tidewater Community College, in Industrial Management and attended the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Apprentice School, graduating as a Journeymen Shipfitter. Dawson worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a Quality Control Manager and was a Quality Assurance Specialist with the Shipbuilding Department of the U.S. Navy. Dawson retired from the Department of Defense as a Quality Assurance Specialist in 2003. After retirement, he was self-employed as owner of Midwest Quality Consulting.

Dawson’s professional memberships included the American Society for Quality. He was certified as a Quality Auditor and an ISO 9000 Lead Assessor. Dawson was an avid bowler and golfer. Together, he and Nancy enjoyed camping and traveling. Dawson supported and followed the Badger football and basketball teams and was a Dallas Cowboys fan.

Dawson is survived by his wife, Nancy; brother, Steve (Diane); niece and nephews, Hope, Perry and Tyler; sister-in-law, Kris (Jim) Disch; niece, Kari (Jason) Heidenreich, Mitchell and McKenzie; and nephew, Kevin (Molly) Disch and Kasey. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Lee Crumpler; sister, Pam Sylvester; brother-in-law, Zach Sylvester; in-laws, Jean and Robert Krentz; and brother-in-law, Neal Krentz.

A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the start of the service on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Nancy would like to thank family and friends for the outpouring of love and support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

“Gin and tonic, no lime.”

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Dawson Lee Drew

April 27, 1948 - November 30, 2022

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