Walt Lawson

Born the third child of Georgia Alice Vosburgh and James Leford “Lefty” Lawson on Christmas Day, 1941, in Junction City, Kansas. Walt was the gift that kept on giving to his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Shannon Dawn (Raley); daughters Stacey LaVelle Stanislav Young and husband John, Sandra Dee Shurling and husband Henry, and Kimberly Dawn Temple and husband Marc; sister Bonnie Joan (Lawson) Johannsen, brother Dennis Jay Lawson and wife Dennise; sister Betty Ann (Bernbach) Ball and husband David; grandchildren Katharine LaVelle Stanislav, Meagan Taylor Young, Benjamin Thomas Stanislav, Bryan Connor Young, Lawson Shurling, Ava Shurling, and Mackenzie Cameron Temple; and his many “favorite” nieces and nephews.

Walt was the type of man who never knew a stranger. And, his numerous friends, including his first wife, Judith Kaye (Tranter) Lawson, are among those mourning his passing.

Always one to enjoy sports and the great outdoors, Walt excelled in football, baseball, and track during his high school days in Oklahoma City and went on to play football at Texas Tech. He cut his sports career short when the nation called and he joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam war, where he learned the trade that would become his career in aviation and eventually take him all over the world. During his career, he lived in Japan, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Germany and Arizona. No matter where he was, he always found time for hobbies and interests, like camping, hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, and shooting. He taught his daughters to throw a perfect spiral, bait a hook, slalom a bumpy lake, shoot and clean a duck, and hold on tight as he pursued motorcycling from his 20’s well into his 70’s.

To his family and friends, he was the guy you always wanted at a party, called in an emergency, or went to for advice. His laugh was infectious, his smile was always warm, and his mischievous nature was something that made you say, “I wish I would have thought of that!” It is for these and so many other reasons that Walt has left heavy hearts here on earth. But, the heavens will be overflowing with joy as he reunites with those that have preceded him in death. Those angels include his parents and stepfather, William Philip Bernbach; brother Clifford Aylward Lawson, grandson Tristen Caleb Grundey; niece Alice Elizabeth (Smith) Chapman; brother-in-law Raymond Don Johannsen; and wife Gale (Davis) Lawson.

A celebration of Walt’s life will be held on Friday, August 13th at 10:00 AM at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 South Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona. The family kindly requests that those in attendance wear appropriate face coverings. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.