India RPCV and Tanzania and Fiji Country Director James Melvin Dawson, Jr. dies in Wisconsin
James Melvin Dawson, Jr., the Chief of Party of Agrobased Industries and Technology Development Project (ATDP) died on Saturday, December 6, 2003, at the University Hospital and Clinic, Madison, Wisconsin, USA from chronic lung and heart ailments.
James Dawson, popularly known as JD and Jim, received his bachelors degree from Florida A&M University and a masters degree from Fisk University in Tennessee.
He also completed coursework for a doctorate degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Mr. Dawson spent most of his career in the international arena: as a Peace Corps volunteer in India; business manager in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; director of the Peace Corps in the Fiji Islands and Tanzania; and overseas director for Oxfam America, Massachusetts.
Corporate work with the American Breeders Service, Wisconsin led to work experiences in the former Soviet Union and Africa.
Jim also served on the board of directors of TechnoServe, the Boston chapter of the Global Affairs Council, the Corporate Council for Africa, the Governor's International Trade Council of Wisconsin, the Emerging Markets Committee of the US Department of Agriculture and President Clinton's Council for Egypt.
Jim's career ended as Chief of Party of ATDP, a Government of Bangladesh and USAID project.
Under his leadership ATDP provided technical assistance to agro-businesses and introduced agri-business initiatives including Shrimp Seal of Quality, Agriprenuer Competition and Agribusiness MBA program with AIUB.
He leaves behind his wife, Ann Marie Dawson; five children, Imara Dawson (Rachel), Amani Dawson, Martin Kamara, Kenyeh Ganda and Katumu Ganda; a granddaughter, Maatsinatun Dawson-Brown; his mother, Dr. Martha E. Dawson; two sisters, Dr. Greer Dawson-Wilson and Martina (Howard) Dawson-Ellis; an uncle, James (Leathia) Eaton; an aunt, Bennie Jewel Eaton; sisters-in-law in America, Agnes (Edward) Mbamoh, Henrietta (Edrissa) Bassey; a host of cousins, nephews and nieces; special friend and doctor, Kapiteni Lusangulira of Tanzania; and numerous friends and extended family members, both national and international.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, in Madison, Wisconsin. A memorial service in Dhaka will be held as soon as Mrs. James Dawson returns to Bangladesh. Interested persons may register their condolence messages through www.atdp.biz or in a condolence book at the ATDP office.
You may also make contributions at the ATDP office to a scholarship fund for Bangladeshi students to honor the memory of James Melvin Dawson Jr. ATDP extends sincere gratitude to Jim's friends, colleagues, business associates and well wishers for their kind sympathy and support for the bereaved family.
