Ben Dawes - IMAC Class of 1953

Benedict “Ben” Albert Dawes died peacefully on Monday, August 15, 2016, at his daughter Bernadette Neff’s home in Portland, Oregon. He was 81. 
Ben was born on October 21, 1934, in Leavenworth, Kansas to Joseph Jerome Dawes and Ruth Howard Dawes. He was one of eight siblings. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Immaculata High School in 1953. Ben graduated from St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1957. He worked in management and sales during his career. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1962 and served in the Kansas National Guard from 1952-1963. 
He was married to Beverly Ann Brown on November 22, 1958, and they were later divorced. The family lived in Topeka, Kansas for several years before Ben returned to live in Leavenworth in 2003. Ben was extremely proud of his children and his grandchildren. Ben is survived by his daughters Elizabeth (Jeremy) Seager, Kansas City, MO, Bernadette (Timothy) Neff, Portland, OR, and Jessica Dawes of New York City. His grandchildren include Rachel Neff, Samantha Veraya, Sarah Brink, and Spencer Neff. He is also survived by his sisters, Jean Will and Kate Dawes, and multiple nieces and nephews. 
Ben was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching, playing and coaching sports his entire life. He served as a bat boy for the Leavenworth Braves and was a dedicated Notre Dame Football fan. He celebrated his 80th birthday watching the Kansas City Royals play game one of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in 2014. He was active in the Democratic Party and enjoyed local, national and global politics. 
Visitation will be held at Belden-Larkin Funeral Home on Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 2 – 8 pm, with family present from 6 – 8 pm. A funeral service will be held at Belden-Larkin funeral home, 707 S. 6th St, Leavenworth on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 10:00 am with Sister Vickie Perkins, officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Welcome Central, 217B N. 5th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048.
Tributes to Ben may be left at           http://www.beldenlarkin.com/obituaries/Benedict-Dawes/#!/TributeWall.