Jimmy Lawson

Jimmy Lawson came to this world on June 15, 1934, in the community of Raybourn, Missouri, delivered by His grandmother and welcomed by his mother, Golda Mae Gaddis Lawson, and father, James A. Lawson. His twin brother, Franklin D. Lawson, did not survive birth. Big sisters, Beatrice (Lawson) Lincoln and May Adele (Lawson) Mayfield, quickly began the process of spoiling the new arrival and loved him without limit. Jimmy’s parents, brother, and sisters all preceded him in joining Christ.

Jimmy attended and graduated from Mountain Grove High School and while he learned a lot, his most valuable acquisition was the sweet redhead, Dona (Chandler) Lawson, whom he met on the school bus. The daily bus ride turned into a dating relationship that became a lifelong journey of a sixty-eight-year marriage. While a lot of people attempt to teach by what they say, Jimmy and Dona taught by how they loved and lived. Read books if you want, Ron and I learned about real partnership from Mom and Dad. To their union children, Dan, Judy, Ron, Steven, Timothy, and Thomas were born. Dan and his wife, Karen, and Ron and his wife, Beth, survive Jimmy and miss his presence here but celebrate his presence with our Creator. Grandchildren, Heather Bean, Matthew Lawson, Jessica Lakey, Justine Lawson, Chandler Lawson Flynn, Dakota Merrill, and Steven Miles Lawson sorely miss their Papa but will forever enjoy wonderful memories. Ten great-grandchildren survive as do two great-great-grandchildren. All were deeply loved.

It is easy to see the challenges in the world around us and think that there is no hope and nothing that one can do. Jimmy Lawson never expected someone else to do the job he was assigned to do. And he clearly knew that he was called to be a husband, a father, a leader in his church, and an exemplary Christian man.

Dad embraced the expectation of hard work and hustle early. He always knew that the formula for success included the essential ingredients of character and hard work. And while hard work was an essential component of life, so too was the enjoyment of music and travel. As his work career ended, a well-deserved season of RV travel and playing music expanded. He thoroughly enjoyed his travel companions and bandmates.

As a father, Dad modeled his expectations in his behavior and while he expected a lot of us, and demanded quality work, we could certainly never outwork Pop. As a husband, Jimmy knew no limits in support of his wife and our mother. He supported her business career, as well as their partnership as amazing parents. But the partnership was not just business, Dad was affectionate and proud of his wife and every member of his family. While Dad was defined by his work, his work investment in the world of his church was of the utmost importance to him. While he “stayed in his lane” at business meetings, he was quick to share his expertise and when able, the physical expertise that he possessed.

Jimmy Lawson departed this world on November 16, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, as his loving wife Dona and other family members shared their love with him as he left us. Jimmy was a man of action and much more focused on deeds than words, so let me share some life-changing advice: Live like Jimmy, love like Jimmy, and serve your Creator like Jimmy. “Well done, Pop!”