John D. Lawson
A memorial service will be held March 28, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the Portal Way Church of Christ, 6300 Portal Way, Ferndale, WA.
John D. Lawson grew up in Lane County, Oregon, the oldest son of John Lawson and Ruth Brunstetter Lawson - a family of nine with three sons and four daughters. He graduated from Pleasant Hill High School with a particular aptitude for mechanics. At the age of 15 he moved to Spokane, WA and served as a mechanic with the Checker Cab Company in the basement of the Davenport Hotel.
At age 17 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theater, participating in the battles for Guam and Okinawa and was part of the first wave into Japan after surrender. After the war, he served 18 months supervising the motor pool for the Marine Corps Shore Patrol in Yokosuka, Japan. On the ship during his return home he prayed to meet a “Christian college girl” and soon after his return the prayer was answered when he met Wilma Ethel Wray. They were married November 30, 1947.
John spent his working life providing for his family in the timber and lumber business, working his way up to sawmill superintendent. He was particularly proud of installing the first computerized sawmill in 1967 and his record of increasing production at every mill he supervised. His sawmill and timber career was spent entirely in Oregon and after his retirement he was known as an “icon” of the lumber business. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, camping (“kicking” the fire), and especially elk hunting.
John was an active and loved member of the Church of Christ serving as Deacon and Elder for various congregations in Oregon. He was a member of the Portal Way Church of Christ in Ferndale, WA at the time of death. John is survived by his wife, Wilma, and their 4 children and their spouses: John (Sue Ann) Lawson, Daniel (Jo Ann) Lawson, Lori (Jeff) Hermens, and Debra (Eric) Haller.
His nine grandchildren are Rebecca, John Paul, and Jacqueline Lawson; Garrick Lawson and Emily Waverly; Brittany Hermens; Brandon, Katie and Cameron Davis. His 8 great-grand children are Grace, Grant, Nolan, Samuel John and Madeline Lawson; Lena Lawson; Benjamin Waverly and Dalilah Davis. His parents, John and Ruth Lawson predecease him as well as siblings Roberta Steinhauer, Rubina O’Conner, Jessiea Wheeler, Bertha Williams, Delbert Lawson, and Ernest Lawson. John will be interred at the Tahoma National Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held March 28, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the Portal Way Church of Christ, 6300 Portal Way, Ferndale, WA.
Memories
From Pat & Elaine Eastman
Dear family, John was one of those "once in a lifetime " people that I will always have fond memoies of. He was always kind and engaging every time met. I really loved the flying stories and the Cycle Oregon reports. Peace to you John and thanks for your friendship.
From Liz Mobley
This is a man who instilled a legacy of integrity, hard work, and honesty in his children. Sorry for your loss Debra and Family. God Speed to Heaven Sir...
From Julie Knight
The things I will remember most about John: His strong, active and visible faith in God, his great big smile, warm heart, and his gift of story telling. He made a difference in this world. Goodbye, for now.
From Debb Grover
Dear SIr,
I asked God to give you a heroes welcome home...and I know he listened! Rest quickly as I know your chores aren't through..on earth as it is heaven there is much to do! Thanx for the difference you made in this world. My friend Debra is pretty incredible!
From Richard Strobeck
I was just a youngster when John & Wilmawere married but I remember him well. He was a good guy and strong Christian
My heart goes out to the family. Wilma I am thinking of you.
From Mindy Singleton
I truly loved this man, and adore all his family. There are no words to adequately express this loving and kind gentle soul. Oh to have written down and been able to retell all his many stories the way he could, it was always amazing. Some of my fondest memories I will always hold dear are our times in small group where we would sit together and he would start up with "did I tell you the time...I will always remember his story of dancing with Betty Davis, his sharing of Japanese words he knew, his adorable smiles, his determination to get a hug from me and my girls which of course we were more than willing to give. The 2 P, s always loved how he proudly displayed their pictures they drew him. I adored how proud he always was, when he would take out his picture of his loving wife Wilma and share it over and over again. Oh the love between those two! I would laugh at how she would always say "now John you already showed them that before" which of course was true but this always made me smile. I never tired of it. While in discussions I admired his knowledge and love of the Lord. His love of his family was always evident to me. The fact that he and Wilma raised a wonderful God fearing man in John Jr. speaks volumes. He will be missed everytime we get together but he will never be out of our hearts or our thoughts. I can't wait to see him one day again while we sing praises to our Lord together. Now that will be some real storytelling!
From Jeremy Lawson
There are no words that can describe my Uncle John, except for the word "The Duke" because that is who he always reminded of. My Uncle John was an awesome man who loved the Lord, his family and life. He always took care of me when we were together giving me a little spending money here and being an Uncle to his Nephew. My Uncle John was everything to me epecially in my younger years. My heart is sad but happy at the same time as I will miss him but I know he is now walking the streets of gold the Bible talks about walking and talking with our Lord Jesus Christ or Savior.
Love you and miss you your nephew Jeremy Del Lawson!
From Nelda (Kerns) Harle
To John's family,
I remember John as a friend of my older brother Leonard, and also as a relative of my good friend Lori Lawson when I was growing up in Cottage Grove, OR and attending the C of C in Eugene. I remember, just like the photo here, he always had a really great smile. I'm sorry to hear of his passing - I'm sure he will be sorely missed. But what a comfort to know he is now HOME with our Father, waiting for us all to join him there some day. I pray you all experience the inexplicable peace that comes only from our hope in Christ. -Nelda (Kerns) Harle, Newberg, OR
From Alta Williams McGraw
Aunt Wilma, I always think of you and Uncle John with love. My rememberance of Uncle John and of you were happy, loving ones. I remember trips to the coast, family holidays, going to church when I was staying at your house and just more great memories than comes to mind at the moment. About Uncle John himself, I remember his smile, twinkling eyes and general good nature. It is a comfort to believe that as a child of God, he is with the Lord. Love you, Alta
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