Edward L. Dawson

Edward L. Dawson was born in Beech Grove, Indiana, to Thomas and Donna Dawson on August 13, 1964. He passed away April 26, 2026 at home surrounded by family after a brief but fierce battle with ALS that baffled doctors for over five months and was not officially diagnosed until five days before his passing.

Ed graduated from Perry Meridian High School in 1982, where he was a scrappy, enthusiastic, skilled wrestler. His love for and participation in many sports continued throughout his life.

Ed obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business from Indiana University in Indianapolis, working his way through school and sacrificing much to earn his degree. Ed was baptized into Christ in 1983 and made Jesus the Lord of his life, which was evident for all of his days.

In 1987 Ed married Nancy Bailey, and they began their adventure together. Their daughters Lindsay Heigerick and Erica Chacon have been a constant source of joy in their lives. Ed was so happy to finally be able to talk all things sports when his sons-in-law joined the family, and he loved them deeply. He absolutely adored his three grandsons and was grieved that he would be leaving them too soon.

Ed and Nancy served in the full-time ministry for 37 years in the International Churches of Christ. During their years in the ministry, they served in Indianapolis, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Chicago. They also loved working with the European Missions Society, with a special focus in Ukraine.

After retiring from ministry in 2024, Ed used his entrepreneurial mind to focus on his own business—selling aerospace engineering and precision industrial tooling. He and Nancy were planning to move to Georgia May 1st to live near their children, but God had other plans.

We are grateful for the amazing life Ed lived, dedicated to Jesus as Lord in everything. We are so thankful for the depth of his love, for his fun-loving spirit and humor, for his uncompromising conviction with the Bible as his standard above all else, and for the legacy of wisdom and love that he has left us. Ed excelled at bringing people into his life and loving people deeply. He will be greatly missed. Though we wish we could have had many more years of life together, we are surrendered and know that God loves us all more than we can fathom.

Ed is survived by his wife Nancy, who is so thankful for the wonderful life they built together for 38 years, and his two amazing daughters, Lindsay (Sam) Heigerick of Woodstock, GA and Erica (Peter) Chacon of Atlanta, GA. Ed delighted in his family, and especially his three grandsons, Nolan Heigerick (6), Liam Heigerick (3), and Crews Chacon (4 months). Ed is also survived by his two sisters, Deborah (Mark Gilpin) Dawson and Tina (Ted) Alexander. He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Dawson, his mother, Donna Dawson, and his brother, Glenn Brown (Janet).

A celebration of Ed’s life and legacy will be held Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 3 pm at Zionsville Community High School in Zionsville, Indiana. Doors will open at 2:30pm, and you may enter through Door 1. We would love for you to join us as we remember all that God has done throughout Ed’s life and reflect on the faith and love he wholeheartedly lived out.

Due to venue logistics, we kindly ask that you please do not send or bring flowers or plants to the Celebration of Life. Your love is gift enough!