A tribute to Lee Dawes: 1929-2021

Lee and Betty Dawes, 2013

Lee, 2014 festival

The Dawes with Crier Richard Riddell

This is a memorial tribute to Lee Dawes, an undeniable presence over the years as cannoneer at many community events including the Anacortes Waterfront Festival. Lee, who was preceded in death by his wife Betty (2019), died in Anacortes at the age of 92 on May 27, 2021. The U.S. Air Force veteran worked as a commercial airline pilot for Frontier Airlines before joining Gates Rubber Company as a corporate jet pilot, and beginning his travels to many countries. Love of travel took the Dawes to many countries with life aboard a sailboat for 17 years into retirement. The delightful Dawes, who operated the “Fidalgo Island Artillery Company,” did a wonderful job of entertaining crowds, even dressing for the part in a variety of costumes. These photos were taken in 2013 and 2014. Among organizations listed for memorial gifts in Lee’s obituary was Anacortes Family Center.