Richard Lee Lawson
Sept. 30, 1943 — Jan. 26, 2010
Richard Lee Lawson was born Sept. 30, 1943 in Friday Harbor, Wash., to Gilbert and Geraldine Lawson. He lost his fight with cancer on Jan. 26, 2010 at The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.
Richard left behind his mother, Jeri Lawson; son, Richard Jr. (wife, Tricia), son, Tommy (wife, Leah); stepson, Chris (wife, Sherry), and their sons, Chaz, Parker and Gabe; four grandchildren, Jordan, Ashley, Brandy Lee, and Dylan; brother, Victor Lawson; sister, Ruthie Paull; nieces, Cathy VanZanten and Ashley Paull; nephews, Rob Lawson, Adam Paull; and countless other relatives and friends.
Richard was born in the Lawson farmhouse on West Valley Road. Farming, raising cattle, and riding horses were his lifelong passion.
He was a graduate with the Friday Harbor High School Class of 1961, and then served several years in the Air Force which started his love for the sky. Richard was often in the air flying, whether it was in a fixed-wing airplane or helicopter, and was always willing to help a fellow islander that needed or wanted a ride.
He lived his life to the fullest, traveling to Africa, Australia, Alaska and many other places around the world. Fishing, hunting, or riding horse was his pursuit in the great outdoors.
Richard Lawson was a well-known businessman. Starting the Lawson Quarry and Lawson Construction in the early 1970s, he supplied all the islands with gravel, concrete and asphalt. His professional reputation followed him; he was a leader in his field. Among his many accomplishments was his last, the development of Lawson Ridge; it will serve as his lasting legacy to the island.
Richard was a proud member of the community always willing to offer a helping hand, or donate to a good cause. His can-do attitude and charming smile will be sorely missed.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 6 at The Lestralaur Ranch in Friday Harbor, located on San Juan Valley Road. Please bring a dish to share and your best Richard story to tell.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.
To share memories of Richard, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
— Family of Richard Lee Lawson
