78 Photo Essay: Dawson Salors

Apprentice plumber, Norris Plumbing

Words by Nick Norris | Image by Blakeney Clouse

If you said life is currently hectic for Dawson Salors, he would tell you that is quite the understatement. As an apprentice plumber working toward becoming a journeyman, Dawson is swamped with work. 

Although studying the code book to prepare for his journeyman exam and working jobs around Walker County leaves Dawson with little free time on his hands, it’s a problem that the 22-year old is thankful to have.

“It’s always better to have too many jobs lined up than not enough,” Dawson humbly explains. “There is a bit of a scarcity of plumbers in the Jasper area, so we stay busy.”

Despite work taking up plenty of his time, something else will soon have his full attention: Dawson and his girlfriend are expecting a baby girl in August. “We found out the gender in late February, and we’re thrilled to be having a girl,” he says gleefully. “We’re both excited and have a great support system around us between our two families and our groups of friends.”

With a baby on the way, Dawson is as motivated as ever to continue excelling in his field. He says he was been blessed with an amazing family and simply wants to be the same blessing for his daughter. “Family means everything to me,” he says. “I wouldn’t be in any position I am without my parents or grandparents. So I’m going to do everything I’ve learned in life from them, to provide for my own.” 

As for the future, Dawson can see his family potentially staying in the area and living in Jasper for a long time. “If we’re able to be successful here, then we would love that,” he says. “We like being in a small area where everything is just a few minutes away. For now, I’m glad to call Jasper my home, especially with how the town has grown in recent years.”

Jasper may be the place that his future daughter and business are born, and, despite any uncertainties that may arise, there is great reward to look forward to. There is also much work—and studying—ahead, but in the end the payoff will be worth it. 

And to say that Dawson will work as diligently as he can to build a blissful life for his family is quite the understatement. 78