Dawson Compo '20: A friend gone too soon

Photo by Mr. Cornish

Nick Dewhirst ’21

On the afternoon of January 2, 2021, Dawson Compo ‘20 and his parents, David and Michele, tragically passed away when their private plane crashed into a home.

Dawson was a true friend of everyone he met, and he touched the hearts of many. He was deeply involved and skilled in school, running both cross country and track, playing the trombone in the band, and maintaining high academic standards for himself. He was a hard worker for his father’s company, Compo Builders, and he never took shortcuts. Whenever you were feeling down, Dawson knew how to cheer you up, and he was available to talk to whenever you needed him.

I will always remember him as the best team manager one could ask for. He was at practice everyday despite his inability to run with an injured leg, and he never complained. He supported the team wholeheartedly, and everyone cherished his presence.

Dawson’s humor was contagious. His spirit filled the room, and he often cracked jokes about himself, giving others a hearty laugh. His close friends will always remember his energy drink reviews on Snapchat and his iconic photos on the jobsite.

It’s times like these where we ask, “Why were they taken so soon?” But we must reminisce on the times we did have with Dawson and his family and what we enjoyed most about their being a part of our lives. Dawson wouldn’t want us to focus on his absence but rather the fun and the memories we shared together.

Dawson had such a bright future ahead of him, and it just doesn’t seem right that it was taken away from him. He and his family lived their best lives and will be remembered and loved eternally both inside and outside of the Catholic Central community.