Harry F. Dawley Jr., Durham, N.C., born June 24, 1934 in Woodbury, GA to the late Harry F. Dawley Sr. and Jane Williams Dawley, passed away at his home in Durham, NC on Friday, October 8, 2022. He was predominantly raised in Valdosta, GA, graduating from Valdosta High School in 1951 where he was involved in the Key Club and was captain of the golf team. After high school, he attended and graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC in 1955, and having achieved the rank of 2nd LT. While at Citadel he was captain of the golf team for 4 years.
Mr. Dawley entered the Air Force in September 1955 and went through basic training and flight training at Kinston AFB, NC on a single engine craft. His next assignment was Lackland AFB, TX for orientation to USAF. The first major assignment was back at Kinston and more training with a single engine craft. Finishing at Kinston, the next assignment was Lubbock AFB, TX for B-25 training for about 6 months. Next, Mr. Dawley’s first flying assignment was at Smyrna AFB, TN flying C119’s and learning to drop troops. Following that assignment, he was sent to Dreux AFB, France flying support for NATO bases in Turkey, Greece, England, France, Germany and other countries including Italy where his piloting skills helped the survival of several troops and crew of 3, when the plane crashed on the beach in Italy from a run-away prop. After spending almost 3 years in France, he was reassigned to Stewart AFB, NY for some time where he continued troop drops at Ft. Campbell, KY and flying supplies to various AFB’s including Central America.
Upon finishing his tour at Stewart, Mr. Dawley resigned in 1962 and moved to Georgia where he took a job flying the private company plane for Bill Marriott, the president of Lay’s Potato Chips for a year and then joined Atlanta Consultants Executive Search Firm. After a couple of years, he had established relations with several companies including Coca Cola USA who contacted him to look for someone for a recruiting function person, for which he applied and got. Within a year, he became head of the department and grew to be executive recruiter for all of Coke USA. Having served well for 7 years at Coke, Mr. Dawley was recruited by Liggett & Myers in Durham, NC where he accepted the position of head Personnel Director. In early 1980, Liggett moved to Montvale, NJ where he became director of HR for Liggett Group ad they diversified. He stayed there until his retirement in December 1987.
After retirement, Mr. Dawley moved back to Durham and became involved with The Trinity Park HOA, the Mayors Advisory Council, YMCA and several other board. In retirement, he played much golf several times a week. On his 69th birthday, he shot a 60 and shot his age at least once a year thru 80 years of age. Mr. Dawley played in the Olympic Senior Golf games and came in nationally at #18 in age 70 to 75 group. He enjoyed life in good health until April 2017 when he suffered a debilitating stroke that took it’s toll. He dealt with that until his death.
Mr. Dawley is survived by several cousins and his partner of 56 years and spouse of 3 years, D. Dickerson; and also his live-in CNA Gale Plummer of 3 years. He will be missed by many friends and neighbors.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday, October 10th at Clements Funeral Home in Durham. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 12th at Woodbury Cemetery in Woodbury, Georgia where he will be laid to rest beside his parents. The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham.
Posted in: Herald Sun
Posted on: 2022-10-10
Link to original obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/heraldsun/name/harry-dawley-obituary?id=36742827