KINSTON | Early Sunday morning, September 25, 2016, Bobby Ray Dawson, Sr. departed this life to eternal victory. Bobby Ray Dawson, Sr., known as "Coach" and "Chief," was born to Willie Lee Grady Dawson and the late Ned C. Dawson in Lenoir County on June 24, 1948. Bobby was a Christian. He joined church at a very early age and loved working and serving in the church as Deacon, Trustee Chairperson, Male Chorus member, teaching Sunday school and working with the youth. Just a brief summary of accomplishments: Bobby received his formal education from Frink High School in La Grange, graduating in 1966, and attending Fayetteville State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health, with a major in Physical Education. In 1970, he entered into his chosen profession as a teacher and coach at Woodington Junior High School. In 1977, he began a career at Lenoir Community College as instructor and Men's Basketball Head Coach. In 1983, Bobby received a Master of Sport Science Sport Coaching Degree from the United States Sports Academy in Mobile, Alabama. He was inducted into the Kinston/Lenoir County Sports Hall of Fame class of 2014. Bobby retired in 2004, and continued to work as Coach and Instructor at LCC, and fully retired in September 2015, (38 yrs), due to health reasons. Bobby was a Chapter member of Lambda Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Grove Phi Grove, NCJAA, and Cedar Grove Lodge 202. Bobby was involved in many other associations and organizations throughout his life. Bobby loved spending time in the "Man Cave" with Jazz (the grand pup) and his nephews watching old western movies, sports and stats of NBA players, checking out different plays for his LCC Men's' basketball team, listening to Kenny G, Luther Vandross, Motown, and gospel groups (esp. Lee Williams), driving the "Vet," stocking up for the Super Bowl game. In 1970, Bobby and Joyce Sutton Dawson were united in Holy Matrimony. To this union, two children, Bobby Ray Dawson Jr. and Shope Elaine Dawson were born. Bobby was a very devoted husband and father who put the interest of his family first. Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Ned C. Dawson and sister Lizzie Joyce Joyner. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Joyce for 46 years, a son Bobby Ray Dawson, Jr., Ayden, a daughter, Shope Elaine Dawson, Greensboro; two grandchildren, Bobby Ray Dawson, III (Trey), of Las Vegas, Nevada and Grant Ellis Dawson, of Ayden, his 97, year old mother Willie Lee Dawson, two sisters, Shirley Woodard (Robert) and Ruby Adams of LaGrange; brother and sister in laws, Preston Sutton (Dorothy), Kinston, Robert Woodard, Prentis Sutton (Geraldine), La Grange, Beulah Sutton, Sue Rigsby and Bennie Sutton, Kinston, Eunice Sutton (Welling), Madlyn Johnson (Vernon) and Leamon Sutton of La Grange. He also leaves many close nephews, nieces and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Sunday October 2, at LCC Gym. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in LaGrange. The viewing will be 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday October 1, with family visitation from 5 to 7 p.m., at Mills Funeral Home, Inc. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to LCC Foundation. Arrangements are by Mills Funeral Home, Inc.