Sam Dawes, Jr.

Sam Dawes, Jr., of Kalamazoo, MI passed away in his home on September 1, 2020 at age 75. Sam was born on August 17, 1945 in Tahlequah, OK to Sam Dawes and Bessie Lee Gourd Dawes.

Sam grew up in Tahlequah, OK and graduated from Tahlequah High School and Northeaster State University. He spent his career helping others in their time of need as a Relapse Therapist. He worked at various places including St John's Rehab and John Hopkins Hospital as well as owning his own company.

Sam was a kind and gentle person and was loved immensely by his family. Sam liked to fish and found enjoyment in his time in the quiet setting of nature. He had a love for old cars and would have a collection off and on throughout his adult life and it always included a Volvo. Sam included humor in his everyday life and loved to tell jokes. His children will remember him as funny and always laughing with him. Sam loved spending time with his family and was close to his siblings. Sam enjoyed attending his children's sporting events and activities. He was cherished by his children for the life he provided for them and how he always tried to give more than he had been given. Sam found strength in his faith with the Lord and would cling to scripture during the end of his life.

Sam was married to Colleen Toole on December 12, 1998. They were married 17 years until she passed away in 2016. Sam had three children: Christina Renae Dawes Lee of Broken Arrow, OK, Michelle Dawes Studie of Owasso, OK, and Felix Hunter Dawes of Kalamazoo, MI. He had two son-in-laws Michael Patrick Lee and Adam Lee Studie. Sam had five grandchildren: Landon Noah Lee, Lauren Alexis Lee, Laken Christopher Lee, Aidan Luke Studie, and Gavin Michael Studie. He had seven siblings: Lee Keener Sr., Callie Keener Hildebrand, Ross Dawes, Dr. Barbara Dawes Martens, Polly Dawes Boyer, Mike Dawes, and Sherryl Kay Dawes.

Sam is preceded in death by: His parents, Bessie Lee Gourd Dawes and Sam Dawes; his wife Colleen, Toole; his brothers, Lee Keener Sr., Ross Dawes, and Mike Dawes; his sister, Sherryl Kay Dawes; brother-in-law, Jim Martens; and nephews, Ronnie Etzkorn and Gus Hildebrand.

Sam is survived by: his children, Christina Renae Dawes Lee and spouse Michael of Broken Arrow, OK, Michelle Dawes Studie and spouse Adam of Owasso, OK, and Felix Hunter Dawes of Kalamazoo, MI; his grandchildren, Landon Noah Lee, Lauren Alexis Lee, and Laken Christopher Lee, all of Broken Arrow, OK, and Aidan Luke Studie and Gavin Michael Studie, both of Owasso, OK; his siblings, Callie Keener Hildebrand and spouse Dr. Jim Hildebrand of Wamego, KS, Barbara Dawes Martens of Tahlequah, OK, and Polly Dawes Boyer of Tahlequah, OK; his sisters-in-law, Joy Rowe Keener of Tulsa, OK and Deretha Dawes of Briggs, OK; his nieces and nephews, Lee Keener Jr. and wife Beth of Claremore, OK, Dewayne Dawes and wife LaDonna of Sand Springs, OK, Daniel Dawes of Briggs, OK, Jamie Marie Rapp and husband Tom of Sand Springs, OK, Carole Lea and Les Dugan of Newton, KS, Lee Dawes of Briggs, OK, Debbie Keener of Tulsa, OK, and Kate Dawes.

A private memorial will be held for his family to remember Sam and celebrate his life.

Please visit Sam's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com