Born April 16, 1929 in Bozeman, MT, Leland was the son of R. Earl and Madeline (Shaw) Dawes. He met the love of his life, Betty Kay Williams when he was 19 and she was 14. Leland began dating Betty Kay while she attended Montana State College and while he was home from the Air Force on one of his many "three day" passes. While overseas in Tripoli, Libya, Leland flew Boeing's B-29's. At that time Leland also courted Betty Kay by mail sending her reel to reel audio tapes. They were married on March 5, 1954 and lived in Rome, NY and Colorado Springs, CO. After his discharge from the Air Force, Leland and his bride briefly tried ranching in Big Timber, MT., and then returned to Colorado. They raised their two sons in Denver & Aurora, Colorado.   

   Leland worked as a commercial airline pilot for Frontier Airlines before joining Gates Rubber Company as a corporate jet pilot, and beginning his travels to different countries and destinations. With continuing this dream of travel, this took the couple to many countries with life aboard a sailboat for 17 years into retirement. As his bride mentioned "we ran out of wind in Anacortes" and the couple just stayed. Once with their feet firmly set on land the couple began the exciting opportunities within their community from volunteering at the Anacortes Visitor's Information Center, to Neighborhood Patrol Watch, to the community of Ham Radio enthusiasts, to MG Car Clubs, to dawning their best pirate finery while firing off their canon at the local Anacortes civic events. With the love of his brotherhood, to his country, and to his service Leland was a member within his local Masonic Temple Fidalgo Lodge No. 77 F. & A.M., El Jebel Shriners and "QB" Quiet Birdman as an original plank owner for the local Anacortes chapter. Leland also enjoyed many facets of woodworking as he provided "hat boxes" for the local Whidbey Island servicemen.   

   Leland and his bride,  Betty Kay  celebrated 65 years of marriage March of 2019.   

   Leland died peacefully in his sleep on May 27, 2021 and is predeceased by his wife Betty Kay, his son David A. Dawes of Iowa City, Iowa and his sister, Donaldine Fishbaugh. Leland is survived by his son Daniel S. Dawes (Sandra), granddaughters: Sarah K. (Kaelin) Watterson-Gosnell, Caitlin E. Dawes and grandson Jonathan A. Dawes and great-granddaughter Freya Evelyn Kay Watterson-Gosnell of Tacoma, WA; daughter-in-law Karen McGuire and granddaughter Hannah L. Dawes of Iowa City, IA; and innumerable family and friends.   

   Memorials -   

   Gifts may be made in Leland's name to:   

    El Jebel Shriners    
    Old Dog Haven - Seattle    
    Anacortes Family Center    
   or to the charity of your choice.   

   To share memories of Leland please guestbook at    www.evanschapel.com/obituary,leland-dawes    

A livestream of Lee's service will be available at this link approximately 10 minutes before the service:  www.facebook.com/EvansChapel