In Loving Memory of John Dawson McLemore
January 11, 1937 – February 15, 2026
To our friends, family, and the community who have walked alongside us:
It is with heavy hearts but lives full of gratitude that we honor the man we simply knew as "Paw Paw." John Dawson McLemore was more than the patriarch of our family; he was our greatest mentor, a steadfast man of faith, and the original spark that ignited everything we do today at The McLemore Boys.
From his early days serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Yorktown to his decades of building a family business from the ground up, Dawson lived by a simple code: Faith first, family second, and everything else will fall into place. He was a world-champion archer, an expert woodsman, and a master of the grill, but his true talent was how he treated people. Whether it was a firm handshake, a gentle smile, or a story told at the deer camp, he made everyone feel like family.
We find peace knowing he is now with his Good Lord in a place where the fish are always biting and the sun never sets on the fellowship.
Carrying Forward the Legacy
Paw Paw taught us that "gathering and grilling" was never just about the food—it was about the bridge it built between generations. As we move forward, we carry his lessons in every recipe we share and every fire we light. We are honored to be second and third-generation McLemores continuing the work he started.
Honoring His Spirit of Giving
Many of you have reached out asking how you can honor Dawson’s memory. In keeping with his spirit of giving and his lifelong commitment to helping others, the family suggests making a donation in his name.
