Blonda Ray Dawson, age 89, of Buckhannon, passed away peacefully April 12, 2024, surrounded by his family and loving wife of nearly 67 years.

He was born on June 30, 1934, a son of the late Samuel Wires Dawson and Emma Florence Tenney Dawson. On July 6, 1957, he was united in marriage to his loving wife Hilda Hardman Dawson, who survives. Also surviving are one daughter Marcella Susan Roth and husband Neil of Buckhannon; two sons: Steven Ray Dawson and wife Angie of Moorefield, and Bruce Lee Dawson and wife Kathy of Buckhannon; six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one daughter, two grandsons, one brother, and one sister.

Blonda was a US Army veteran who served in Anchorage, Alaska. He then worked 28 years as a linotype press operator at the Record Delta Newspaper. In 1983, he graduated from the 49th Basic Police Officers Training Class at the West Virginia State Police Academy and then worked for the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department for many years. He later ran his own private investigators business before retiring.

Blonda was a lifelong member of the Sand Run Baptist Church and a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cowboy action shooting, playing music, and singing.

Special thanks are extended by the family to Mountain Hospice.

The body will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be extended to the Dawson family at www.heavnerandcutright.com The Dawson family entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service with the arrangements.

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