Our dad and uncle, Ronald James Lawson, died in Irvine on September 23, 2021, at the age of 90. Dad was born April 30, 1931 in Los Angeles to Henry Miller (Dick) Lawson of Missouri and Irene Ruby May of Alberta, Canada.
Dad saw a lot growing up in Southern California. He saw his parents struggle to survive the Great Depression. He saw his Japanese school friend bussed with her parents to an internment camp. He saw his older brother John join the Merchant Marines during World War II.
Dad graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1949, then attended classes at Santa Ana College. In 1951, he was drafted into the US Army and sent to war in Korea. In October 1952, he was severely wounded in the arm and shoulder by an artillery shell during an attack on his unit. He was evacuated to a MASH hospital, then airlifted to Japan to recover, before being honorably discharged with a Purple Heart medal.
After returning home, Dad used the GI Bill to graduate with his Education degree from Cal State Long Beach. He began teaching a 4th grade class at Tustin's Loma Vista School in Fall 1957, and later taught special education classes in that district and others. Later in his career, Dad taught school in the California prison system. When he retired, he was again teaching in the public schools.
In 1955, Dad married Natalie Ann Zirinsky, and they had two sons, Craig Mark and Joseph Brian (Jobe) Lawson. Dad and Natalie divorced in 1963, and Dad married Janice Yvonne (Jan) Landen in 1964. He and Jan had a son, Andrew James (Drew) in 1967. Dad and Jan divorced in 2002.
Dad was a great community volunteer. He volunteered as a greeter at his church and at Hoag Hospital. He volunteered at a nursing home, and acted in a community theater group that put on free plays. Dad also liked sailing, the theater, old movies, and reading.
Dad leaves behind his three sons, his nieces Dawn and Susie, and six grandchildren, Sarah, Michelle, Ben, Noah, Sarah and Ben. Dad chose to be cremated, and his remains will be placed at Riverside National Cemetery.
Source: Orange County Register, Oct. 17, 2021, p. 12, col. 1
Dad was interred at Riverside National Cemetery on December 10, 2021, with full military honors.
Dad saw a lot growing up in Southern California. He saw his parents struggle to survive the Great Depression. He saw his Japanese school friend bussed with her parents to an internment camp. He saw his older brother John join the Merchant Marines during World War II.
Dad graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1949, then attended classes at Santa Ana College. In 1951, he was drafted into the US Army and sent to war in Korea. In October 1952, he was severely wounded in the arm and shoulder by an artillery shell during an attack on his unit. He was evacuated to a MASH hospital, then airlifted to Japan to recover, before being honorably discharged with a Purple Heart medal.
After returning home, Dad used the GI Bill to graduate with his Education degree from Cal State Long Beach. He began teaching a 4th grade class at Tustin's Loma Vista School in Fall 1957, and later taught special education classes in that district and others. Later in his career, Dad taught school in the California prison system. When he retired, he was again teaching in the public schools.
In 1955, Dad married Natalie Ann Zirinsky, and they had two sons, Craig Mark and Joseph Brian (Jobe) Lawson. Dad and Natalie divorced in 1963, and Dad married Janice Yvonne (Jan) Landen in 1964. He and Jan had a son, Andrew James (Drew) in 1967. Dad and Jan divorced in 2002.
Dad was a great community volunteer. He volunteered as a greeter at his church and at Hoag Hospital. He volunteered at a nursing home, and acted in a community theater group that put on free plays. Dad also liked sailing, the theater, old movies, and reading.
Dad leaves behind his three sons, his nieces Dawn and Susie, and six grandchildren, Sarah, Michelle, Ben, Noah, Sarah and Ben. Dad chose to be cremated, and his remains will be placed at Riverside National Cemetery.
Source: Orange County Register, Oct. 17, 2021, p. 12, col. 1
Dad was interred at Riverside National Cemetery on December 10, 2021, with full military honors.
Our dad and uncle, Ronald James Lawson, died in Irvine on September 23, 2021, at the age of 90. Dad was born April 30, 1931 in Los Angeles to Henry Miller (Dick) Lawson of Missouri and Irene Ruby May of Alberta, Canada.
Dad saw a lot growing up in Southern California. He saw his parents struggle to survive the Great Depression. He saw his Japanese school friend bussed with her parents to an internment camp. He saw his older brother John join the Merchant Marines during World War II.
Dad graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1949, then attended classes at Santa Ana College. In 1951, he was drafted into the US Army and sent to war in Korea. In October 1952, he was severely wounded in the arm and shoulder by an artillery shell during an attack on his unit. He was evacuated to a MASH hospital, then airlifted to Japan to recover, before being honorably discharged with a Purple Heart medal.
After returning home, Dad used the GI Bill to graduate with his Education degree from Cal State Long Beach. He began teaching a 4th grade class at Tustin's Loma Vista School in Fall 1957, and later taught special education classes in that district and others. Later in his career, Dad taught school in the California prison system. When he retired, he was again teaching in the public schools.
In 1955, Dad married Natalie Ann Zirinsky, and they had two sons, Craig Mark and Joseph Brian (Jobe) Lawson. Dad and Natalie divorced in 1963, and Dad married Janice Yvonne (Jan) Landen in 1964. He and Jan had a son, Andrew James (Drew) in 1967. Dad and Jan divorced in 2002.
Dad was a great community volunteer. He volunteered as a greeter at his church and at Hoag Hospital. He volunteered at a nursing home, and acted in a community theater group that put on free plays. Dad also liked sailing, the theater, old movies, and reading.
Dad leaves behind his three sons, his nieces Dawn and Susie, and six grandchildren, Sarah, Michelle, Ben, Noah, Sarah and Ben. Dad chose to be cremated, and his remains will be placed at Riverside National Cemetery.
Source: Orange County Register, Oct. 17, 2021, p. 12, col. 1
Dad was interred at Riverside National Cemetery on December 10, 2021, with full military honors.
Dad saw a lot growing up in Southern California. He saw his parents struggle to survive the Great Depression. He saw his Japanese school friend bussed with her parents to an internment camp. He saw his older brother John join the Merchant Marines during World War II.
Dad graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1949, then attended classes at Santa Ana College. In 1951, he was drafted into the US Army and sent to war in Korea. In October 1952, he was severely wounded in the arm and shoulder by an artillery shell during an attack on his unit. He was evacuated to a MASH hospital, then airlifted to Japan to recover, before being honorably discharged with a Purple Heart medal.
After returning home, Dad used the GI Bill to graduate with his Education degree from Cal State Long Beach. He began teaching a 4th grade class at Tustin's Loma Vista School in Fall 1957, and later taught special education classes in that district and others. Later in his career, Dad taught school in the California prison system. When he retired, he was again teaching in the public schools.
In 1955, Dad married Natalie Ann Zirinsky, and they had two sons, Craig Mark and Joseph Brian (Jobe) Lawson. Dad and Natalie divorced in 1963, and Dad married Janice Yvonne (Jan) Landen in 1964. He and Jan had a son, Andrew James (Drew) in 1967. Dad and Jan divorced in 2002.
Dad was a great community volunteer. He volunteered as a greeter at his church and at Hoag Hospital. He volunteered at a nursing home, and acted in a community theater group that put on free plays. Dad also liked sailing, the theater, old movies, and reading.
Dad leaves behind his three sons, his nieces Dawn and Susie, and six grandchildren, Sarah, Michelle, Ben, Noah, Sarah and Ben. Dad chose to be cremated, and his remains will be placed at Riverside National Cemetery.
Source: Orange County Register, Oct. 17, 2021, p. 12, col. 1
Dad was interred at Riverside National Cemetery on December 10, 2021, with full military honors.
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