Harold Sylvester Lawson

Harold Sylvester Lawson, age 95, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 12, 2020 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in West Virginia on March 4, 1924, the youngest son of 9 children. Harold served in the United States Navy from 1942 until 1951. After his military service, Harold worked for Southwestern Bell for over 30 years and was part of a team that wired and installed the telephones at Johnson Space Center NASA Houston. Harold was a long time resident of Friendswood and was a founding member of the Friendswood Methodist Church. He started polka dancing in the 1970's but had been dancing most of his life. He was instrumental in starting a polka club in the Houston area. He entertained not only his grandchildren, but many children over the years with origami and animals made with handkerchiefs. He always kept stuffed animals, that he would win out of the Arcade crane machines, to give as gifts to children at dances and when visiting friends and family.

Harold was preceded in death by his first wife, Florence Gaeke Lawson; and daughters, Sandra Lawson Pyle and Jo Ann Lawson Davis. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Lou Shores Lawson; daughter, Susan Lawson Russell and her husband, Jim; son in law George Pyle and his wife Joyce; son in law Alan Davis of Anchorage; stepdaughter, Linda Turcotte and her husband, Joseph; grandchildren, Kristi Pyle DeRubeis and husband, Jim, Kathi Pyle Phan and husband, Long, Trevor Davis and wife, Jeni, Kevin Davis and wife, Jessica, Denise Insall Roberts and husband, Bryan, and Dennis Garza. Other surviving family members include his great grandchildren, Bodey Davis, Harley Jo Davis, Evan Phan, Aidan Phan, Keira Phan, Kaia Phan, Jaxson Roberts, and Caiden Roberts; Lauren Garza Johnson and husband Ryan. Great great granddaughter, Griffin Johnson. Plus numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Forest Park East Funeral Home 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598 with Rev. David Miller officiating. Committal service will immediately follow. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 18 from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Harold Lawson. Pallbearers are George Pyle, Jim DeRubeis, Long Phan, Joseph Turcotte, Dennis Garza, Bryan Roberts and Evan Phan. The Polka Club will serve as Honorary Guard.

In Harold's honor there will be a tribute held on February 1, 2020 featuring Mollie B & Squeeze Box at SPJST Lodge No. 88 1435 Beall Street, Houston, TX 77008, please call (713) 869-5767 for more information.

The family would like to thank the medical staff of UTMB Clear Lake Campus for their care and support and the AMED Hospice Staff.