To the family of Ray Lawson, know that your father remains in the thoughts and hearts of so many! Will never forget him and the influence he had on my life.  Hope knowing that he touched so many lives and will always be in the hearts of so many gives you comfort in your loss. My very best to all of you.

Dear Taryn and siblings, I heard from Mary (Guyett) that your dad had passed.  Such an amazing generation that we are laying to rest, and one that will never be matched! His obituary is a beautiful tribute to an amazing man.  I will print it out and get it to my mom.  Mary said there are some amazing articles online about your dad, so I will search for those. 

We laid my dad to rest 4 years ago just before his 91st bday. My mom is in assisted living in Rhinelander and will celebrate 93 years this Aug. 

Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers! I'm sure your wonderful parents have been reunited and are dancing in Heaven already!!  

Sincerely, 
Sue (Vanzo) Wadzinski

Ray Lawson has remained for 60 years my best and favorite teacher, from my years at Rochester Senior High School 1958-1960 in his Honors English class, as well as our Class of 1960 Mentor), and my folks (Ralph and Helen Price) being neighbors and friends with Ray on Linwood Street in the 1950's.  

My RHS best friend Mike LaFave dubbed him “Cool Ray,” as he would read Chaucer works in the ancient English language, and he would spend every lunch hour reading poetry to himself as he stood inside the RSHS Boy’s bathroom (so that the “hoods” could not smoke cigarettes inside)!  

Ray always wanted me to go to “The University” (as Ray called The U of Michigan and I finally did so as a faculty member in the UofM Medical School, making him proud of me. I often wrote to him over the years, thanking him for being such an inspiring teacher.  Ray remained a model as a teacher and person to me for five decades. 

May God bless and keep his memory in our souls, Alan R. Price

ToTammy, Taryn and family-
So sorry to hear the news about your father.  He was a wonderful person and so interesting to be taught by in english writing class.
My sincerest condolences.

Mary Ahearn-Johnson (Kehren)
Denver, Colorado

Goodbye, old soldier, teacher, and gentleman.  You left your intended mark on many who were fortunate to pass through your classroom and to have known you.  You set a standard to be followed that many today could only wish for.  Thank you, Sir, for your wonderful example of excellence in life, and teaching.  You made your family proud.

Mark W. Lyon
President, Class of 1963

Thank you Ray Lawson for all you did. Rest in peace. Prayers sent.

Ray Lawson was a gifted teacher and scholar - a true gentleman!   He was a man for all seasons.  Ray was also a good friend!  I shall miss him; he will be forever in my thoughts and prayers.  

I visited Rochester many years after I graduated, for a celebration of Mr. Lawson’s career at Rochester High.  How incredible that he taught for 58 years.  It was so great to see him.  He looked the same.  I did not.  But, here was my chance to asked him a question I had wondered about for years.  As it turned out, I still had something to learn from this good, humble man.  I had always thought the students from my era (1963) were amazing and smart.  Students in more modern times had a lot of distractions like home computers, video games, and cell phones.  I just had to ask him: “Are today’s students nearly as bright as we were back in the good old days?” After all, we really did do very hard assignments 30 years ago, I thought.  The media had often reported that some students might have lower achievement in schools at the time I was visiting.  His answer was not what I thought it would be.  He said, “David, today’s young people are so bright and intuitive that they amaze me how talented that they are.”  Here again, he was ready to answer any questions he was asked.  He was a graceful gentleman.  I also felt that he cared about me.

In closing, I want to thank you Mr. Ray H. Lawson for being a role model, a leader and an educator that helped so many of us.  Your dedication and hard work, brought so many of us a better life and gave us skills we relied on in our everyday lives, marriages, families, and careers.   There is no price for these gifts you gave us as your students.  It was a serendipitous opportunity that I was lucky enough to have known and learned so much from  Mr. Lawson.   After having Mr. Lawson, I honor all members of the teaching Profession.  

David Liggett
RHS Class of 1963


Mr. Lawson may set the Pixley record for most memories shared and with good reason. He was a class act and outstanding educator. I didn’t realize the quality of his instruction until my Freshman English class in college. It was elementary and an easy 4.0 after spending my RHS Senior Year with Mr. Lawson. He lived a committed life and positively affected the lives of generations. 

I’ve done my best to leave a grammatically  correct tribute but feel free to make corrections in his memory.

Your father was a wonderful model and mentor always gracious, willing to share his knowledge, life experience and  could cook meals and desserts worthy of a 5 star chef. I am Blessed to have known your dad and his wonderful family.
Thank You Ray, for the memories.

Mr. Lawson was a remarkable teacher. Anyone who had him for English became a better writer. He definitely inspired me in the class room and throughout my life to do my best. To the Lawson family, I offer my heartfelt condolences.  Mr. Lawson may you rest in peace. I pray for peace and comfort for your family.

You were a peerless educator and dear friend, and I am thrilled to have known you.  I will miss hearing your stories and our long chats after a good steak and martini.  I will forever be in awe of your dedication to teaching and positive impact on the lives of so many.  It is hard to imagine a world without you, but you leave it a better, more thoughtful place for having been in it.  May we all be so lucky.  Thank you for everything, Ray.

Ray was the "institutional memory" of Michigan Council of Teachers of English after serving as both treasurer and secretary for thirty years.  He was a wonderful support to me the year I served as president making sure I stayed the course and remembered my Robert's Rules of Order.  He was wise and kind and an institution unto himself.   I will remember him for his love of English teaching, the written word and a good steak.  And scotch. I will miss you, Ray. 

Fifty years ago this week, I graduated from Rochester High School.  "Mr. Lawson" was a figure who earned my profound respect and admiration.  He demanded the best of us, and never gave us anything less than his best.  What a remarkable, accomplished, dedicated, and generous man he was!  Congratulations, Mr. Lawson, on a life well-lived!  I am honored to have known you.

Ray Lawson was an anachronism. The man wore a suit to school every day. A suit and tie, to a suburban high school in the Midwest. Mr. Lawson was feared, as he was a notorious destroyer of GPAs. And true to form, I got a D+ on the first paper I wrote for his English class. I’d never gotten a D+ on a paper in my life. But he was right—I could do better. And he taught me how. 

During my senior year of high school, I did an independent study in modern literature with him. It was largely unstructured—basically he suggested books for me to read and we discussed them. That was it. But those discussions were wide-ranging and far-reaching. We talked about literature, love, loss, and life, from two wildly different vantage points. Though he was 60 years my senior, he never talked down to me. He stopped being “Mr. Lawson” and became “Ray.” He introduced me to the writing of James Joyce, Sinclair Lewis, and Ernest Hemingway. He taught me how to read and how to think critically. The volumes of Thoreau he gave me when I graduated still sit proudly on my shelf.

After I moved away, I made it a point to visit him every time I returned home. We’d go out for dinner, or just sit around his spartan living room, discussing our lives, our thoughts, and our memories. The last time I saw him, for his 100th birthday, I suspected that it could be the last time. Sadly, I was correct. 

My conversations with Ray always featured quite a bit of silence. At first, it was disconcerting and a bit uncomfortable. He would pause, and then wait, longer than one usually does. He took his time choosing his words and was not bothered by the silence. It took some getting used to, but I came to appreciate this. As a result, our conversations frequently stretched for hours. But in that silence, thoughts could flourish and deepen and grow. 

So perhaps the silence I hear from him now is not an ending. Perhaps it is just a pause between thoughts, and the conversation will continue. I certainly hope so.

As a graduate of RHS (Class of 1960), Mr. Lawson was a legend and THE teacher to have for Senior English. His challenges prepared me sufficiently to consider college English 'easy.'  
Later, as a teacher in Rochester, my husband and I were both influenced by the dedication Ray had to his sudents, and his career.  He was a role model for all new teachers regardless of their subject discipline.
His influence continues to be all encompassing.
Many thanks to his family for sharing him with the education community for so many years. Our condolences to the family of Ray Lawson. May he rest in peace.
Kindly, Garry & Mary Watson


There are so many things that I could say about Mr. Lawson and the many ways in which he impacted my life. To begin with, he would have marked my paper down for using the word “thing. “ As he once told me, “Things have  names. Use them.” 

I learned many valuable lessons from him, the most important  of which was to take pride in my work and to encourage it in others. I was so  fortunate to have known him and will always cherish memories of my time in his classroom.



My heartfelt condolences. He lived a long and eventful life and now, he rests.

Mr. Lawson was a true teacher and a wonderful human being. His teaching led me to success in writing influential letters and more. Heaven will love having Ray Lawson.

I had Mr. Lawson many years ago for English. He was one of if not the best teacher. Sending my prayers to his family. 

Taryn and family, 
You all have to know how beloved your dad was. He gave so much to his students and left impressions on everyone. As I look back he was influential in my decision to become a teacher and how to expect high standards from my students. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your whole family. 
With Sympathy 
Michelle Lelli

Ray Lawson, as secretary of the MCTE was an invaluable asset to the organization and helped me so much during my year as president. He championed me as a teacher and consultant in good times and bad. He WAS the Michigan Council of Teachers of English for decades. Peace and grace to Ray Lawson, a tower of the teaching profession and his family.

Ray Lawson was the quintessential gentle man. He was my husband’s (Dr Thomas Murphy) colleague but to me he was a dear, sweet man who was incredibly easy to talk to. On more than one occasion I sat in his living room and discussed the challenges of raising teenagers. I always left, assured by Ray that all would be well. And he was right - our kids are both incredible adults - Casey & Brittany both had Mr Lawson for English and they too, respected and loved him. 

WIll always have lasting memories in our hearts and minds for a extraordinary person, Uncle and teacher.
Prayers for his family.


Mr. Lawson  was not only my best and favorite teacher, he had close ties to our family beginning in 1946, when he and my father, both home from serving their country, began teaching at Rochester High.  We  went to the same church, and I would love seeing him there when coming back for visits.
      One summer Mr. Lawson painted our living room, back when teachers were not paid enough over nine months to support a family,  so he and my dad both found work in the summers.  Mr. Lawson was the advisor of our class of 1964; we honored him at our 50th class reunion.   I came from Illinois to attend his big Improvement Fund tribute dinner in 2001.   
   Thinking of him saying something humorous, and then laughing, makes me smile still.  His laugh was infectious.   He blessed me with the grammar and writing skills necessary to be successful in college and career.   I will think of him often with gratitude and love in my heart.   He was a treasure.  Diane McGowan Tichenor

I met him as Mr. Lawson (Dr., yes, but he insisted on Mr.), but I then knew him as Ray. It's a wonderful thing to have a meaningful mentor, and to have that mentor become a friend is an added bonus, and although I moved far away, I enjoyed keeping in touch, and was thrilled when I was able to see him in February of 2020. Ray woke me up in many ways, challenged me, disagreed with me, and always supported me. He challenged and supported so many. The answers to his questions were always the best lesson, as you would no doubt need to recraft your answers, learning more of yourself, and how to project thoughts, meanings, and intentions. He became a guiding compass point in my life. There are truths in life, though rare, and it was a gift to share those truths with him. See you in those familiar places, Ray, and I'll always see you between the lines.

What an true teacher! There we were in 1967 Senior English, and occasionally you'd break into poetry. It wasn't exactly Chaucer's words, many of which I didn't quite understand. It was the way you were transported by delight as you recited for us.  Cheeks flushed, buoyant with happiness, you showed us that an appreciation of literature, poetry, the sounds and meanings and uses of words, could bring this joy. Little did we know then that you were throwing us a lifeline to use in the years ahead. We learned that later. Gratitude to you, Mr Lawson, for all that you taught us.

I had Mr. Lawson in 1998 and my Dad had him in the 1960's! I remember once getting a C on a paper and DREADED telling my Dad for fear he would be upset. However when I told him, he laughed and put it on the fridge because he knew that with any other teacher who read it, it would have been an A.  We still laugh at this memory!! What a tremendous teacher who taught me so much and I am so grateful to have been a student of his.  My sincerest condolences go out to the family.

To Mr. Lawson's family and loved ones, my heart goes out to you. As I'm sure you know, he touched many lives through his long career as a teacher. Honestly, the past weekend I was talking to my in-laws about our favorite teachers and I told them about Mr. Lawson! Mr. Lawson was my tenth grade English teacher and my favorite English teacher (RHS class of 2006). He was a strict grader, but always encouraged his students to rewrite and improve our papers. (I remember being surprised to receive a C+ on my paper when I usually received A's and B's!) I am deeply grateful for his dedication to his students and to the arts of teaching and writing. He truly taught us how to write, a skill that will serve me throughout my life and has always been important to me. He also introduced me to one of my favorite poems: "The Beautiful Changes" by Richard Wilbur. 

Thank you, Mr. Lawson for your kindness and service. May you rest in peace.

Surviving Mr. Lawson's English class meant that many of us could succeed in college. I have ALWAYS been grateful for how tough he was - and yes, those impromptu essays were exceedingly helpful! 

Condolences and thanks to his family for sharing him with us.  His dedication to dignity, excellence, and clear writing and thinking have benefited an ever-widening community.  My sister and I still mention him - she's a professor at an East Coast college these days.  We wish more students could have had such a demanding instructor.

Rest in peace, fantastic teacher. Generations bless your name.


When I attended RHS 1972-1976, Mr. Lawson was already legendary...an excellent teacher who expected the best from his students and helped us discover abilities to think, write, and appreciate literature that we didn't realize we had. He helped each of us be better students, and through the example he set, better people.  He was an unforgettable teacher! 

Mr Lawson was such a nice man.  He tutored me in English and made English fun for me.  He believed in my abilities and helped me believe in myself.  I have always remembered him and his sweet wife.  I still have a poem he wrote for me when I graduated from high school he painted and wrote himself.  

I was a student of Mr. Lawson’s senior composition class in 1976. Years later, he interviewed me for a position in the English department at RHS.  It ended up there were no positions available at RHS, so he contacted Adams High School, told them about me, and I worked at AHS for over 30 years. I went from being his student to being his colleague, working with him on several committees. He inspired me to become an English teacher and I will be forever grateful to him for that.  My prayers go out to his family and I am sure they will find solace in the long life he led, and the many people whose lives were touched by this man. May he Rest In Peace.

Dear Taryn,  We are holding you and your family in our prayers.  Your father was amazing and I was glad to have met him.  We are praying you will find peace in knowing he is now resting with Jesus xo.  Peace in Christ, Kim and Jon Myers

I am 1997 graduate of RHS.  I had Mr. Lawson during my time there.  I remember him as a jovial and fun teacher, serious about learning.  

Mr. Lawson is a legend in education. A man who impacted the lives of hundreds of young people. To this day,  I admire his love and dedication to his students. Thank you Mr. Lawson.

Mr. Lawson was my senior year English teacher in 1999-2000. I was scared that he would ruin my GPA, but in fact, he taught me a lot about writing (and in the end, I still earned an A). Sure, we thought he was a little quirky to have as a teacher. Once in a while, he fell asleep during our silent writing time. But deep down we respected him—his life, his amazing store of knowledge, and his teaching. I’m so grateful that I got to learn from him.

I remember Mr. Lawson as one of my teachers.  He was one of the best.  My heart goes out to his family, and my deepest sympathies and condolences.  

Loved the man. Called him many times over the years asking grammar questions prior to submitting letters to the editor. I'll never forget getting a "B" on my senior term paper because I misspelled one word. Tons of people proofread my paper for me but nobody caught the error - except Mr. Lawson. LOL  Loved his stories and his "class." In the 80's his wife sang in my Rochester Community Chorus. Beautiful person. One of my heroes.

I graduated in 1990. Mr. Lawson was an incredible teacher. He led a life well lived, and left a huge mark on so many. My sincerest condolences to his family. May he rest in eternal peace.

The Lampinen family had six  siblings that went to RHS from 1950-65. When my sister Margaret, class 65', started her Senior year Mr. Lawson asked her, " Are you the last Lampinen or are there still more" ? 
   (59) years teaching at RHS. Truly remarkable.

I had Mr. Lawson as a teacher for English class in the mid nineties. I will always remember him as being an incredible and inspiring educator. What I loved about his class was his passion to teach the novels and tie them to current events. He had an incredible willingness to ask us thoughtful questions and just LISTEN. He had a genuine curiosity about his students’ views and voices. Some of the topics we discussed could have been seen as  controversial in those days and sometimes debates between students became heated, but Mr. Lawson was always the patient facilitator. He gave us a chance to speak our minds and share in a space that felt safe. I carry this memory with me today as a teacher and hope my students feel as valued as I did when I was in Mr. Lawson’s class. Thank you, Mr. Lawson. You will be missed, but our many memories of you will continue to live on. 

It was always a pleasure working with Ray His contributions to students and staff and education in general are immeasurable His long life and career are a motivation to many May your many memories of a life well lived carry you through this difficult time
Our thoughts and prayers
Tom and Carole

I graduated in 1965 from Rochester High and had Ray Lawson for senior English.  He was such a talented teacher and prepared me so well for AT&T at Michigan State that the class really seemed easy to me.  He was encouraging and challenging and somewhat intimidating, but easily earned students’ respect.  My mother, June Schroll, considered Mr. Lawson a good friend and I’m certain she will be one of those waiting to greet him when he arrives in heaven, where I am certain he will be going.
To Mr. Lawson’s family, I am sorry you have lost someone who I am sure was very important in your lives and will keep you, and Mr. Lawson, in my thoughts.

OBITUARY

Ray H. Lawson

December 27, 1918 – June 1, 2021

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