James Donald Dawson

Jim was destined to be a journalist - newspaper reporter, columnist, editor, publisher. He earned his first byline at age 6 in the Elgin (Texas) Courier and was a police reporter at age 17 with the Waco News-Tribune. He loved sports, reading, music, theater, travel, cars, genealogy, trivia.

He wrote an autobiography entitled "Life in the Toy Department... and other splendiferous places" and at age 86 published a book of short stories: "Lagniappe...The Piddling Oaks Gang and other tales from the microwave." He recently finished a third book, "Mayhaw, Texas," about a fictional town in the 1930s.

A sixth generation Texan born Oct. 25, 1934 in Port Arthur, he grew up in Waco, attended Hardin-Simmons and Baylor universities.

His newspaper career took him to Louisiana, Arizona, Minnesota and California. He served as sports editor of the Riverside Press-Enterprise, St Paul Pioneer Press and Sacramento Bee and the Associated Press Sports Writers Assn. honored all three with national top 10 awards.

A devoted Christian, husband, father and grandfather, Jim abhorred agenda-driven reporting and socialist politics. A veteran of the Korean War, he trained at Fort Bliss Texas as a radar operator, spent time at Camp Kilmer New Jersey and Forts Clayton and Amador in the Panama Canal Zone. He became editor of the Caribbean Command newspaper and spent six years in the Army reserve.

As a youngster, Jim had many jobs - newspaper carrier, messenger, waiter, engine transporter, bookstore employee and shoe salesman.He was immersed in sports at an early age, excelling in basketball and track.

He won awards as a sports columnist in Texas, Louisiana, Arizona and California. He had a radio show on KWKH in Shreveport, interviewed and wrote about many celebrated athletes and coaches, toured Riverside Raceway with Peter Revson at 185 mph in a McLaren race car and scored a goal before 40,000 soccer fans in a halftime exhibition between the Minnesota Kicks and Pele's New York Cosmos. His greatest sports thrill came when he played in an exhibition basketball game and scored on an assist from NBA star Rick Barry.

An alumnus of the American Press Institute, he championed women writers and pioneered sports page design. He was an officer in the Associated Press Sports Editors Assn. and Baseball Writers Assn. of America. He was brought to the Bee as sports editor in 1980 to create a major league sports environment in Sacramento, was the Bee's assistant managing editor from 1982-87, then closed his career with 9 years as publisher of 10 Neighbors weeklies where he managed 110 employees.

Jim and his wife Barbara traveled throughout North, Central and South America, Europe, the Caribbean, and enjoyed cruises and excursions that took them to Russia, Egypt and the Amazon. He lived in Rocklin at Springfield Whitney Oaks past 26 years.

Jim is survived by wife of 51 years Barbara Rowden Dawson, daughters Debbie (Dawson) Nuttall and Doni (Dawson) Donaldson, son-in-law Bill Nuttall; grandchildren Shannon, Andrea, Bill, Daniel, and Robin Nuttall, Tyler and Tara Donaldson; great-grandchildren, Joseph, Billy, Aidan, Caleb and Aurora; special rescue canine Repeaux. Welcomed across Rainbow Bridge by pet buddies Omar, Macho, Rocceaux, Amos and LC.

Memorial donations to Seniors First, Placer SPCA, Disabled American Veterans.

Jim will receive military honors at a small family gathering at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on Friday, July 11, 2025.

A Celebration of Life to honor Jim will be held in August.