Stephen Joseph Dawson

On August 4th, 2021, Stephen Dawson passed peacefully in his sleep at home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Steve had a laugh and voice that could be immediately recognized from anywhere in the room, and we all knew "that's Steve"! He had a love for peanut M&Ms and cashews, both were always within an arms reach. To know Steve, was to know quick wit and thought-provoking conversations. A little known fact is, Steve spent a lot of time in the kitchen putting his touch on regular ole recipes. His secret ingredient was DaddyHinkle marinade. He found so much joy feeding those he cared about. The way his face beamed exposing his signature dimple when he shared stories about his family, friends, and career truly reminds you how much he devoted his life and mind to us all. He was a man of faith and loved the Lord. Steve will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all those who knew him. Steve graduated from the University of Missouri in 1978 with a degree in Physical Therapy. He was a highly recognized and awarded physical therapist that served his patients and community extensively throughout his life. Beyond his work at Integris Health, in 1999 Steve founded the Rylyn Meacham Center. The center was designed to provide therapy and other rehabilitation services for patients that have either exhausted their insurance benefits or had no other means to pay for services. With Christian principles as its foundation, the center helped patients recover from physical, psychosocial, and spiritual consequences of their injury or illness. The center served hundreds of patients, each one of them being special to Steve. In the early 2000s Steve had an integral role in telehealth in Oklahoma. Although, initially hesitant about the idea he quickly became hooked on it. So much so he served as the co-chairman of a special interest group on telerehabilitation for the American Telemedicine Association, based in Washington, DC. In 2006, Steve was honored as Physical Therapist of the Year by the Oklahoma City AMBUCS. We have no doubt his impact on the physical therapy world will be felt for many years to come.Steve is survived by his children: Tiffany Thomas (husband John Thomas), Christin Browning (husband Adam Browning), and Zach Dawson (wife Braden Dawson); sister Sharon Flann (husband Dallas Flann); and grandchildren: Olivia and Jett Thomas, Graham and Owen Browning, Layken and Deacon Dawson. Steve was preceded in death by his parents: John Joseph and Mary Ann Dawson; and his brother Dave Dawson. A celebration of life service will be held at Crossing Community Church in Oklahoma City on Friday September 10th at 11amCT. Flowers can be sent to Smith & Kernke Funeral Home in north Oklahoma City or in lieu of flowers, Steve can be honored by simply providing an act of service or kindness to someone in need.