Lawson, Richard Lee

Passed: 1970-11-12

Age: 36

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1970-11-20

Information: Plant Worker Is Found Dead   Richard Lee Lawson, 36, was found dead in the back yard of his home at Sandyville about 8 a.m. Thursday by his daughter, Charlene.  According to investigating officers, Sheriff Vernon McCoy, and Deputy Edward Speece, Lawson's death was caused by self-inclicted wounds from a 12-gauge shotgun.  The blast was said to have struck the victim in the left side of his chest.  Death was set at approximately 1 a.m. Lawson's body was taken to the Chambers Funeral Home in Ravenswood. Mr. Lawson, an employee of the Kaiser Aluminum Ravenswood Works, was the husband of Alberta Mahan Lawson.  She and five children are among his survivors. Mr. Lawson, a native of Jackson County, had been employed by the Kaiser Corp. for 10 years.  He was a Boy Scout committeeman in Sandyville. Surviving in addition to his widow are daughters, Charlene and Melinda, both at home; sons, Alvin, Edwin and Timothy, all at home; parents, Delbert and Blanche VanFossen Lawson of Sandyville, and a sister, Mrs. Leroy Harsh of Bridgewater, VA. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Chambers Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Morrison and the Rev. Ulysses Rhea officiating.  Burial was in Independence Cemetery at Sandyville.