In tribute: Resident 'grew up singing'

link Johnathan Dawson

Staff writer

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Those who heard him sing say his voice was a gift; a gift he used to deliver messages of love, peace and ultimate salvation.

It could be said that the “best place,” according to Johnathan Raydale Dawson, was reflected in his music.

“He always said heaven was the best place,” said Dawson’s brother, David Dawson.

Johnathan Dawson shared his voice for the last time during a Juneteenth celebration at Potter Park on June 21. He passed away shortly thereafter.

He was 43.

“He grew up singing,” said older brother David. “He was gifted from the moment he opened his mouth and started to sing.”

David Dawson described his brother as a singer-songwriter and producer who delved mostly into gospel.

“He was gifted with an angelic voice that he never bragged about,” Dawson said. “He was a very humble kid.”

It is this humility despite great talent that City Commissioner Sandra Taylor-Sawyer first recalls when asked about Johnathan Dawson.

“He had a very humble and sweet spirit about him,” she said.

Taylor-Sawyer knows the Dawson family well. She said an older sister married Johnathan Dawson’s uncle, Jimmy Dawson.

Furthermore, Taylor-Sawyer’s father, Oral Taylor, and Johnathan Dawson’s father, John, performed in the Gospelairs, a singing group they founded in 1964.

As the members of the Gospelairs got older, younger men in the family filled their spots, affording Johnathan Dawson an opportunity to worship through song.

Johnathan Dawson was active in ministry; serving as a worship leader and choir director at First Church of God in Christ.

“He had a heart to care for people,” Taylor-Sawyer said, adding that she never knew of Johnathan Dawson ever getting into trouble.

Neither did his brother, David.

“He was a child that excelled at everything he did,” David Dawson said. “If you met him you loved him immediately.”

Born and raised in Clovis, Johnathan Dawson sang in the Clovis High School choir.

Johnathan Dawson played varsity football for the Wildcats his junior and senior years, serving as the team’s linebacker.

After graduating from Clovis High in 1989, Johnathan Dawson went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Eastern New Mexico University.

In 2000, Johnathan Dawson signed with Postair Productions. His CD, “Melody of Love,” is available for purchase at Amazon.com, Walmart and CD Baby.

Johnathan Dawson also helped with three of his brother David’s recording projects.

Taylor-Sawyer said Johnathan Dawson leaves behind his wife, LaTonya, and two daughters, Zaria and Braelyn.

Speaking just days after his death, Taylor-Sawyer said her favorite memory of Johnathan Dawson is also the last time she saw him — at Potter Park the day he died.

Johnathan Dawson was in the park, Taylor-Sawyer said, enjoying fellowship and worshiping God.

“That’s really embedded in my mind right now,” she said.

“Unfortunately, I left,” Taylor-Sawyer said. “I didn’t get to see (Johnathan) perform.” However, Taylor-Sawyer was there for the sound-check and heard Johnathan sing.

“Just hearing his beautiful voice,” she said. “That’s a great memory.

“We definitely lost a great individual, a great citizen,” Taylor-Sawyer added. “We were really blessed to have him for the time we did have him.”