Gene Harlan Lawson Sr.

Gene H Lawson Sr was born in Seattle, WA on May 10, 1927 to Lloyd and Blanche Tague Lawson, the youngest of three boys. He spent his childhood in Kittitas where his family lived in the prestigious Milwaukee Rail Road houses. Living next to the train tracks was music to Gene’s ears, and he always wanted to grow up and run the trains. After Kittitas High School, he joined the Navy and spent his tour in San Diego. He then returned home and fell in love with Vera (Truhlicka) the cute girl that worked at The Steak House. They married on Valentines Day 1948. In 1950 Gene went to work for The Milwaukee Rail Road, following in his father’s footsteps. He started out as a fireman on steam engines and continued when the Milwaukee went electric. He became a locomotive engineer as the Milwaukee changed over to diesel. He worked the Hanford Line from Beverly, with his favorite run being from CleElum to Othello. Gene looked forward to work, calling it more of an adventure than a job. During his 30 year career with the Milwaukee, he took hundreds of photos. Once retired, Gene spent hours organizing and cataloging his extensive photography collection of The Milwaukee Railroad. His photos appeared in Trains Magazine and other print and web based publications. He was a great gardener, back yard orchardist, and took pride in keeping his home and yard looking exceptional.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Vera and three children, Carolyn (Bob) Thompson, Linda (Marvin) Thompson, and Gene (Denise) Lawson Jr. They have five grandchildren, Burton (Jamie) Thompson, Corrin (Chase) Endicott, Rachel Call, Travis Miller and Robin Lawson and three great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, all donation can be made to Cascade Rail Foundation PO Box 462 South CleElum, WA 98943 Online condolences may be left at www.steward-williams.com.