Obituary of James F. Lawson

James F. “Jim” Lawson passed away on December 4, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington.  He was born September 12, 1945, in Seattle, Washington.  He was adopted by James Delbert and Jessie Lawson of Elma, Washington, in July 1946.

 

Jim graduated from Elma High School in 1963. He attended Grays Harbor Community College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.  He graduated from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, in 1972.  He earned a Masters in History and Political Science from Arizona State University in Flagstaff, Arizona, before reenlisting in the Navy.

 

Jim married Phyllis Ulm of Bloomington, Illinois, on July 28, 1984.  Bloomington, Illinois.  Phyllis joined him in Enid, Oklahoma, where he completed a Masters of Divinity at Phillips Seminary in 1985.  He completed a Masters in Liberal Science from the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1987.

 

Jim worked in libraries in Olympia, Washington.  He especially enjoyed his work in a number of church libraries. 

 

Jim loved stamp collecting.  In later years, he worked on genealogy for both his and Phyllis’ families.  He taught Sunday School, Bible study, and book studies in a number of churches.  He enjoyed reading and learning all his life.

 

Jim is survived by his wife, Phyllis Lawson of Lacey, Washington; brothers, Ken (Laura) Lawson of Aberdeen, Washington, Jim (Martha) Forman of Owensboro, Kentucky; and sister, Lee (Pete) Macias of West Sacramento, California, and Dee (Steve) Blackburn of Hammond, Louisiana.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

 

A Celebration of Life is planned for March 2, 2024, 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Olympia.

 

Memorial donations may be made to Macular Degeneration Research; First United Methodist Church of Olympia, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501; or the Panorama Benevolent Fund, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey, WA 98503.

 

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