Terry Wayne Dawson was born on December 18, 1958, in San Antonio, Texas at Buckner's. His young mother, Wanda Lee Jones, was unable to provide the home she wanted for him. After his birth, she kissed his forehead and cheeks, looked into his bright blue eyes, and said goodbye as he was placed for adoption.

Two weeks later, Terry became the answer to prayer for Charles and Ruth Dawson of Amarillo, Texas. They traveled to San Antonio to bring home their baby boy and add him to their family. He was a blonde, blue-eyed little boy with so many cowlicks that he wore a flattop haircut for years. His nearly three-year-old sister Becky was thrilled to welcome him home. Five years later, the family was completed when they adopted another daughter, Melinda.

The Dawson family spoke openly and lovingly about adoption. Our mom often said that her children grew "in her heart rather than under it," and Terry, Becky, and Melinda grew up knowing they were deeply loved, intentionally chosen, and cherished.

Terry grew up in Amarillo and attended First Baptist Church, where the family was very involved—so involved they often said they were there every time the doors were open. He enjoyed the puppet ministry, youth choir, mission trips, and Royal Ambassadors. He loved playing the guitar and often led worship for Melinda's Wednesday night youth group. Our mom explained to Terry that just as he was adopted into our family, Jesus adopts us into His Family when we accept Him as our Savior. Terry embraced this truth early on, accepting Jesus as His Savior and he was baptized at FBC as a boy.

He made friends easily and embraced those formative years with energy and joy.

As a child, Saturday mornings often found him sitting just a few feet from the television, completely absorbed in Roy Rogers. He had a way of sitting with both legs bent out to the sides, a posture that never failed to puzzle his family.

Terry and Becky also shared many afternoons watching Dark Shadows after school. Their younger sister Melinda, frightened by the show, would often hide under a blanket on the couch while the older two remained captivated by the "horror" of it all.

Terry was quite accident-prone. He once rode his bicycle into the garage and attempted to stop by putting his hand up against a window, which shattered and resulted in over 300 stitches. A neighborhood Boy Scout held his arm together until paramedics arrived, and the incident even made the local news. Other mishaps included fishing injuries and a broken arm resulting from falling off of a large spool of commercial wiring left in the alley—resullts were a long series of childhood accidents. He seemed to love people easily and genuinely, and he carried a warmth that made others feel welcome.

After graduating from Amarillo High School in 1977, Terry proudly served the United States Navy aboard the USS Enterprise as a nuclear propulsion technician. During his time in service, including a posting in the Philippines, he developed a deep love for the ocean—one that would remain with him for the rest of his life.

Terry's generosity of spirit showed itself in many ways throughout his life. After returning from the Philippines, he brought thoughtful gifts home for his family, including silky pajamas and mother-of-pearl bracelets for his mom, sisters and young nieces, which they still remember today. Even the small silk bags they came in have been kept as keepsakes.

Following his military service, Terry spent most of his professional career working in real estate, where he built a life centered around helping others and staying connected to the people and communities he cared about.

On April 5, 1989, Terry became a father when his son Jared was born, fulfilling a dream he deeply cherished. He loved watching Jared grow up, and took his son on numerous national and international misadventures. He expanded his care towards Jared's closest friends, some of whom recount that for better or worse, Terry helped them learn how to be men and how to choose good beer.

Terry later welcomed Jared's marriage to Sarah with joy. When Sarah's own father passed away, Terry did the best he could to fill that void. He looked forward to the future with pride and anticipation, and there is no doubt his love for his son continues.

One summer day in 2015, while visiting Corpus Christi, Corina Cardenas was sitting beneath a small tree by the ocean, grieving the recent loss of her brother. A man passed by, paused to look at the water, and gently asked if she was alright. Before leaving, he invited her to join him and a friend later that evening.

She eventually agreed. That night, they walked along the shoreline holding hands. Corina was drawn to his easy smile and his "cute way of walking." The next day, Terry took her sailing aboard his beloved yacht, Serenity. What began as a day of grief became the beginning of a deep and lasting love. They fell hard and fast for each other and shared the past ten years or so rooted in companionship, laughter, and the ocean they both loved.

In 2012, Terry experienced the unexpected joy of reconnecting with his biological family. After years of searching, his half-brother Jim found him.

Their first meeting took place in a hospital, where Jim was recovering from surgery and heavily medicated. Seeing Terry's face and hearing his familiar laugh, Jim believed for a moment that he had died and was being met by a long-lost relative. It wasn't until his wife Rhonda explained that the visitor was his brother that the moment turned from confusion to astonishment and joy.

After recovering, Jim visited Terry at his home. When he walked through the front door, he immediately felt certain of their connection. The resemblance was unmistakable, but what struck him most was the uncanny familiarity of Terry's home—filled with guitars, amplifiers, microphones, and music equipment, just like his own. The two brothers burst into laughter at the similarities.

From that moment on, they made up for lost time. They spent the following year visiting often, sharing meals, conversations, and time together whenever they could. What had begun as a long search became a meaningful bond built quickly and deeply.

Retirement gave Terry the time just to hang out. He loved heading to Union28 to visit Melinda, Robert and the kids, where he listened to music, shared a meal and had a chance to catch up with the family. Melinda is thankful for this truly special season of life with Terry.

Just days before Terry's passing, he noticed that Becky was in the same area where he happened to be visiting Jared. They arranged to meet for breakfast before she returned to Colorado. They spent the morning talking about family, their parents, their work, retirement, and life. It was an unusually beautiful hour together that became profoundly meaningful in hindsight. She left grateful for this special time and will always cherish that final visit with her brother.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ruth Dawson.

He is survived by his wife, Corina Dawson of New Braunfels, Texas; his son, Jared Dawson and wife Sarah of Amarillo, Texas; his sister, Becky Davis of Louisville, Colorado; his sister, Melinda Frazer and husband Robert of Midlothian, Texas; his brother, James Newbury of Austin, Texas; his stepsons, Josh Rios of Chicago and Enoch Rios of San Marcos, Texas; his stepdaughter Amanda Cardenas of Seguin, Texas; his step-grandchildren Rosalie and Dominic Cardenas; and a multitude of extended family and friends.

Terry will be remembered for his easy humor, his larger-than-life stories, his love of the ocean, music, his generosity, and his ability to connect with people wherever he went. Most of all, he will be remembered for the love he gave so freely to his family and those who were fortunate enough to know him.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on June 12, 2026, at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Texas.