Ernest Carrington Dawson

Ernest C. Dawson, 96, of Ellicott City, Maryland, died peacefully at his home on December 31, 2019. Born on August 20, 1923 in Baltimore, Maryland, he is predeceased by his wife, Helen Wantz Dawson; brother Theodore (Ted) Dawson and sister Mildred Dawson Fleming.  

Ernie graduated from The Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1941. At Poly, he focused on academics while playing varsity basketball. College engineering studies at Johns Hopkins University were interrupted when he enlisted in the US Army to serve as a tank crewman from 1943 to 1945, where he reachedthe rank of Corporal before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and serving in Japan during the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. At the end of the war, Ernie married Helen and restarted his studies in electrical engineering at Cornell University.  Upon graduation, he was inducted into the Tau Beta Pi honor society and joined Baltimore Gas and Electric where he enjoyed a long and successful career.  While working as an electrical engineer he completed his degree from Johns Hopkins University in economics. Ernie also served for 21 years in the Army reserves before retiring as a full Colonel.

He was a devoted father to his two sons and one daughter, steadfast friend to his son-in-law, and a doting grand- and great grandfather. He took his grandchildren on college visits, gave them golf and basketball pointers, attended their musical and theatrical performances, and offered a comforting or congratulatory hug following sporting events.  He will be remembered as the family’s greatest fan.  

Ernie loved Baltimore and his Howard County community. He was an avid fan of the Colts, Ravens, Orioles and had a flare for making the city come to life while travelling from the suburbs by the old flour mill in Ellicott City to some of his favorite sites,such as Little Italy, Lexington Market, Haussner's, the Engineers Club, and Center Stage.  He was the consummate handyman around the home and enjoyed golfing, being part of the leadership for the community pool, taking long walks, discussing politics, reading about military history, and travelling, especially to visit family members in Florida.  

He is survived by his two sons, Robert Dawson and partner Patricia Browning, Russell Dawson;  daughter Cynthia Nichols and her husband C. Reid Nichols; grandchildren Marnie Dawson, Michael Dawson and Matt Malloy, Rob Dawson, Jenny and Jeremy Dorminy, Benjamin and Kara Nichols, Caitlin and Will Dammin, Elizabeth and Morgan Ritter, and great grandsons Andrew, Graham, and Shane Nichols and his namesake, Dawson Fox Dammin.  

Family and friends are invited to call at the Witzke’s FamilyFuneral Home at 4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, Maryland, 21043 on Sunday, January 5th, 2020; visitation with family will take place at 1:00pm with a service at 2:00pm.  Burial will take place Monday, January 6th at 1:00pm at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens located at 2150 Mount View Road, in Marriottsville, Maryland, 21104.  In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed in Ernie's name to a favorite charity.   

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