Wayne O'Dell Lawson

Wayne O’Dell Lawson went to be with his Savior Jesus Christ February 20, 2023. He was 91 years old and celebrated his first heavenly birthday four days after his passing. Wayne was born on February 24,1931 to Gilbert and Bertha Lawson. He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene Lawson, son Douglas Lawson, his parents Gilbert and Bertha Lawson, a brother Dale Lawson, a sister-in-law Sybil Hake and brother-in-law Rodell Hake. Wayne is survived by his daughters Connie Sanford (Doug) of Bonney Lake and Cathy Winters of Yakima, sisters-in-laws Charmian Lawson of Kalispell, Montana, Jean Howson (Bill) of Naches and Shirley Emery of Troy, Montana. Grandchildren Kristi Martinez (Eric), Patrick Lawson, Jason Sanford (Whitney), and Molly Mahon. Great grandchildren Anna Rose Bree Mahon Shelby, Brodie Doty, Sadie Martinez and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. As a toddler and young boy Wayne’s family moved from town to town selling and making mattresses by hand in the family business. As a result, Wayne attended a variety of schools. Finally in Wayne’s high school years his family bought a home and settled in Whitefish, Montana. There he met and married his wife Arlene on July 9, 1949. While living in Whitefish he worked at a gas station. Married with three kids an opportunity came in 1955 at The Boeing Company so he moved his family to Seattle, Washington and worked at Boeing until he retired in 1993. While working at Boeing Wayne traveled the world, entertained Boeing airline customers and took the 737 airplane on a world tour to sell. A few years after moving to Seattle the family’s favorite weekend activity was tent camping at the ocean beaches. Much family fun was spent walking the beaches with campfires at night. Flying kites was always a must. Tent camping led to trailer camping which led to motorhome travel adventures with family and friends for many years. After a couple years in retirement, he and his wife sold their home in Kent, Washington and traveled in their motorhome for a year and then decided to purchase property in Grant County Washington. Here their home for nearly twenty years was on three acres in Ephrata where Wayne and Arlene loved their country home with a backyard of fruit and nut trees and flowers everywhere. Wayne enjoyed building birdhouses for the variety of birds living in their yard. Wayne was a steadfast Christian. When he was a member at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, he approached Pastor Loppnow to participate in a Juvey Bible Study at the Grant County Juvenile Center. Juvey was started by three local churches. Pastor Loppnow agreed, and he and Wayne formed their team, joining the three other churches sharing God’s word. Their second home in Grant County was in Moses Lake and Wayne was a member of Living Word Lutheran Church. He will Rest in Peace beside his wife Arlene and their son Doug at Mountain View Cemetery, Auburn, Washington. Interment will be at a future date. Wayne will be missed by family and friends. Family finds comfort in knowing that he is already in heaven and has celebrated his first heavenly birthday on February 24. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of floral donations, please donate to the American Cancer Society. Thank you.

Wayne O'Dell Lawson

February 24, 1931 - February 20, 2023