Perry Max Dawson

Perry Max Dawson, 95, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away August 12, 2023. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 18, at Lafayette Presbyterian Church, with burial at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. Perry is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruth, his four daughters, and nine grandchildren. Perry was born in August 1928 to BJ and Lottie Dawson in a small farming community in east Texas. He was the second of eight children. Growing up during the Great Depression, Perry had first-hand knowledge of the hardships of rural families. After graduating from High School, Perry served for four years in the United States Army Air Corps (Air Force). Perry earned a Bachelor of Science degree at East Texas State College, now Texas A&M University-Commerce, and a Master of Business Administration at Southern Methodist University. He took Army Air Force Reserves Officer Training, gaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. While teaching high school business courses in Dallas, he met his future wife Ruth Hope, a first-grade teacher. They were married in September 1955. Perry began his career in the credit union movement in November 1955, working as a loan officer, assistant general manager and acting general manager at Dallas Teachers Credit Union. Under Perry’s leadership, in 1963, the bylaws were amended to include black teachers and other school employees. Dallas Teachers Credit Union became the largest in Texas. Perry was hired in 1967 as General Manager of Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union (now Suncoast Credit Union) and moved his family to Tampa, Florida. At that time, it had 4,500 members and 18 employees. When Perry retired as President and Chief Executive Officer, in 1996, after 40 years in the credit union movement, Suncoast Credit Union had grown to become the 12th largest credit union in the United States. Many of the credit union movement’s foundational principles of financial democracy are a direct reflection of Perry’s leadership, guidance, and moral compass as he was involved on the state and federal level in the early stages of the growth of credit unions around the country. Unlike banks, credit unions are owned by the members, not shareholders. Every member’s vote is equal, no matter their financial status, race, or gender. He sought to provide members with the knowledge and tools to enable them to prosper and achieve financial well-being. His hiring and membership goals reflected his personal commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Perry served as president of the Tampa chapter of the Florida Credit Union League, the Credit Union National Association, the Credit Union Executive Society. He was inducted as a charter member of the organization’s Hall of Fame. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Credit Union National Association. In addition, Perry helped found the Education Credit Union Council and served on the Board of Directors. In 1989, was voted most admired credit union CEO in the United States. He served for six years as the director of the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Perry was very involved with the Presbyterian Church (USA), serving as a deacon and an Elder for many years. Golf was his favorite pastime. Perry and Ruth also traveled extensively, both in the United States and internationally. Perry always expressed gratitude for his health, his family, and his career. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the Dawson family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).

Tributes

Perry Max Dawson

August 11, 1928 - August 12, 2023