Laffery and Smith Obituaries
Vernon Irving, Jr. Lawson
Vernon Irving, Jr. Lawson
August 18, 1920 - May 30, 2010
Santa Rosa, California

Visitation: 5:00 P.M. ~ 8:00 P.M. June 03, 2010 at LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL
Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M. June 04, 2010 at LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL
LAWSON, VERNON I., Jr. – August 18, 1920~May 30, 2010. Passed away at his home in Santa Rosa following a brief illness. He has joined his wife, Betty Lawson, whom he lost February 9, 2009 after almost sixty-six years of marriage. He will be sorrowfully missed by his family; son Merlin (Sharon) Lawson, his daughter Janet Lawson and his “Little Brother” Carl (Evelyn) Lawson and their family. Vernon is the cherished grandfather of Kelly (Don) Lawson Jones, Kimberly Lawson Krueger and Katherine (Jason) Lawson Hatch. Also survived by his “walking buddy”, Annie and his great grandchildren, Stefan and Max Krueger, Jillian Jones and Ryan Hatch, as well as his brother-in-laws, Clinton J. (Cindy) Brown and John Fountain. He leaves behind his cousin Austin Hall, extended family Geoff, Zoe, Leilani, Audrianna, Kevin, Marquise, Connor and numerous nieces and nephews. Vern was third generation out of now six generations to live in Santa Rosa. He was raised on Melita Road, near Lawson’s Corner, that was owned and operated by his parents. In his adult life, he owned Sutton’s Dairy in Sebastopol, was manager for Challenge Cream and Butter in Santa Rosa, salesman for John Morrell Meat’s and retired from Farmer’s Insurance on Fourth Street. In his retirement, he became interested in Simmental Cattle and served as President of the California Simmental Association creating his own bloodline of cattle for show and breeding. After selling the ranches and moving to town, he pursued the game of golf and joined the senior men’s club at the Bennett Valley Golf Course, where he enjoyed his weekly day on the green! After Betty passed, he decided to rejoin his faith at the Church of the Nazarene. He arranged a weekly Bible Study Class at The Lodge At Paulin Creek, where he resided and he so enjoyed it. A big “Thank You” to Ron Lundy for his visits to Vern and his family since he rejoined the church and to our caregivers, Lorraine, Liesl and Susan Lobendahn, who cared for Vern and the family around the clock for weeks; giving us their endless professional skills, guidance and family comfort beyond the call of duty.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, June 4, 2010 at the LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL (4321 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, CA, 95409). Private interment. LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL will provide visitation hours in the Fireside Room from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 3, 2010. As an expression of sympathy, the family suggest memorial contributions in Vern’s name be directed to Sutter VNA & Hospice (1110 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, CA, 95401) –or- to the Elsie Allen Ag Booster’s (c/o: Mrs. O’Kelley, 2415 Redpine Court, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403). Arrangements entrusted to: LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL, Directors (707) 539-2921

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