Man On A Mission

Thomas Dawson spends his Wednesday nights in prison.

As a member of the prison ministry for the Catholic Church, Dawson makes weekly visits to Geiger Corrections Center to speak with inmates of all faiths about God.

He does not criticize them, or try to convert them. Instead, he brings stories — personal and Biblical — jokes, Communion and a message of love.

“People are the most beautiful things in the whole world,” he told a group of inmates recently, “if you give them a chance to show it.”

And this he truly believes. Whether talking with inmates or scooping ice cream at his business, Dawson, 75, is making the most of his retirement by actually practicing what he preaches: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Dawson first came to Spokane in the ‘40s on an Army transfer and met his wife at the Baxter Army Hospital (now the Veterans Medical Center).

“The Lord gave us 52 wonderful years together,” Dawson said with a smile that makes you wish you could have met her.

But after Mary Jane died a few years ago, Dawson was plagued by questions.

“I questioned why she left,” he said. “I was the ornery one, she was perfect. Then I thought that maybe there was something I should be doing with my life.”

So Dawson, who serves as a Eucharistic minister at St. Anthony’s Church, responded to a request in a church bulletin for someone to take charge of a prison ministry.

Sister Myrta Iturriaga, director of the prison ministry for the Catholic church, said the inmates respond well to Dawson.

“People like him. They listen carefully to what he tells them,” she said, adding that it is hard to find good people to help the ministry.

“It is difficult to find people to do it with love in their hearts,” she said. “But (Dawson) believes in them.”

But as much as he gives, he also receives.

“It’s a good experience,” Dawson said. “When I leave, it’s so uplifting.”

When he’s not there, it’s a good bet he’s at his shop — All American Frozen Yogurt and Ice Cream on Division, just south of Garland.

Dawson’s decision to go back to work came after a trip to see his daughter in Boston. Walking past an ever-busy Dunkin’ Donuts, his daughter offhandedly said, “Maybe that’s something you could get into.”

While researching the doughnut business in Spokane, Dawson saw an ad in the paper for franchise owners. After investigating the Portland-based All American Frozen Yogurt and Ice Cream company, he thought it a worthy investment.

In fact, he poured $160,000 — all of his pension and savings — into renovation of and equipment for the tidy, red-and-white store at 3422 N. Division.

“The money was just sitting there drawing a few dollars interest,” he said with a shrug.

Dawson runs his business with the same tenets he shares with the inmates.

“Be good to people,” he said, and rushed to bring a cup to a customer struggling with a dripping cone. “When I hire employees, I ask them, `Who’s the boss?’ “

He is quick to correct those who think it is him.

“It’s the person who walks in the door to spend money,” Dawson said. “They’re who’s paying the wages. I’m not.”

The shop, which opened Feb. 20, offers sandwiches, soups and salads, in addition to a tasty selection of smoothies, ice cream and yogurt. It already has a small core of regulars.

“We recognize people,” Dawson said. “I give them a clean, comfortable place to sit. Then they go away with the inclination, `Maybe we’ll try this again.’ “

Though cooler-than-usual weather has made a rocky road for starting an ice cream business, Dawson has his eyes on expansion.

“If I can get these bills paid, I’d like to open in the airport,” he said.

His grand plan, however, is more personal.

“My main goal,” he said, “is to live until I die.”