Dawson Clayton, JR

Dawson Clayton, Jr., 76, of Nashua, NH passed away peacefully at Pheasant Wood Center in Peterborough, NH on May 30, 2020.   He was born in Columbus, GA on September 9, 1943,  the son of Dawson and Bernice (Chester) Clayton.

At a young age Dawson moved with his family to New England.  He grew up in Boston, MA and attended Boston Latin School and English High School.   He served in the US Army for twenty years – first as a paratrooper and then in the military police.  While in the Army, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam where he received numerous awards and commendations for his heroic service.  These awards included a Bronze Star; A Vietnam Service Medal with a Silver Service Star and a Bronze Service Star; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm; and an Army Commendation Medal with a 1st Oak Leaf Cluster.   After retiring from the Army, he worked in security at First Security for twenty years.

Dawson is survived by his longtime partner, best friend and significant other of 38 years, Claudette Dawkins of Nashua, NH; his son Curtis Dawkins; his sister Helen Bunn and brother-in-law Robert Bunn of Bethesda, MD.  He also leaves a niece Andrea Johnson of Boston, MA and several grand nieces and nephews.

A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held at the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.   The burial will be private for the family.

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