Matel Dawson Jr, a forklift operator who gave more than USD1.3 million of his earnings to universities, scholarships and the United Negro College Fund, died on November 2 aged 81.

Mr Dawson became known throughout the USA as the "forklift philanthropist" for his generous donations to Wayne State University, Louisiana State University, the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) and churches.

Mr Dawson worked at Ford Motor Company's Rouge industrial complex for 60 years, building his life savings by working double shifts and weekends, investing wisely and living modestly.

He was discovered dead at his home, a Detroit News report said. The medical examiner has not established a cause of death.

Forkliftaction.com has reported on Mr Dawson's generous nature in the past. Click here to read our report.

Picture courtesy of the Detroit News.