Richard Duane Lawson, Sr.
Richard Duane Lawson, Sr., Marshfield, was born September 25, 1946 in Topeka, KS to Donald and Thelma (Hitsman) Lawson. He passed away on July 9, 2020 in Mercy Hospital, Springfield, at the age of 73.
Richard was a research genealogist. He wrote several books, not only for families, but for banks and several businesses. He enjoyed working in the rare book collection at MSU. He served in the United States Army, and was of the Catholic Faith. Richard was chaplain for the DAV, and volunteer for the Republican Committee of Webster County. He volunteered at the Marshfield Senior Center. He loved reading, especially history and about General George Patton. He was very passionate about politics and had books on senators, presidents, and politicians. His family will miss his humor, as well as his council and well thought out reasoning. He was swift to hear yet slow to speak.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and siblings, Donald Lawson, Jr, Thelma Terry Smith and Marion Hughes.
Richard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joyce (Keesling) Lawson; children, Richard Lawson, Jr., Marshfield, David Lawson (Rebecca), Buffalo, Tamila Galloway (Mark), Derby, KS, James Lawson (Melissa), Marshfield, Kimberly Lawson, Marshfield, Benjamin Lawson (Juliet), Lees Summit, Mary Snyder, Marshfield, Kristina Vasquez, Marshfield, Beverly Steele (Carl), Topeka, KS, and Donna Cox (James), Owasso, OK; seventeen grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020 in St. Luke Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marshfield Senior Center, and left in care of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, MO 65706.