Douglass F. Lawson, 85, of Centralia, passed away Wednesday, February 7th at his home with his family by his side. As per his wishes, he will be cremated and no services will be held. He was born November 9, 1938 to Charles H. and Elizabeth Modisett Lawson in Pine Lawn, MO.
His family moved to Brown Station, MO when he was 14; there he attended O’Rear Country School and was part of the last 8th grade class to graduate from there. He attended University High School before moving to Hallsville High School where he would graduate in 1956. He went on to serve in the US Army from December 1956 to December 1958 as a float-bridge specialist. He was stationed in Germany for year and received his honorable discharge in December 1958. He was an outdoorsman; he loved to hunt and fish, and spent many hours on his riding mower.
Doug earned his Bachelor’s degree in May, 1964 from the University of Missouri; majoring in economics and government. He then earned his Master’s of Science degree in August 1968 from Truman State University in Kirksville. He taught school for several years in Scottsdale, AZ and eventually went into business with his brother Lowell, owning and operating 10 Laundry and dry cleaning centers. In 1985, they moved back to Missouri where he taught economics and government at Bowling Green High School and Community R-6 before retiring.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Louise; daughter Shawn (Richard) Edwards; grandson, Richard (Bailey) and granddaughter, Emma (Kelby); brother, Lowell Lawson of Phoenix, AZ; brother-in-law, Don Hardin of Columbia; sisters-in-law, Wanda Hardin of Columbia & Leila Hardin of Fulton, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles Lawson, Jr., Paulus Lawson, Sr.; and a sister, Monti Persinger.
Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com
