Charles Dean Lawson, 86, of Traverse City, passed away on March 23, 2018. Charles was born on May 19, 1931 in Omena, to the late Troy B. and Ethel (Wouldridge) Lawson.
He enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy as an Airman in the Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron until his honorable discharge in 1952.
He married Nancy Tompkins on July 23, 1953 in Traverse City.
Charles worked for Tower Parts as a parts inspector and also as a skilled brick layer. He enjoyed fishing and he loved to work so he retired at age 75.
He is survived by his son, Jeff (Jill) Lawson of St. Louis, MO,; stepdaughters, Marilu Kiessel of Suttons Bay, Susan Magila of Traverse City; grandson, Charles Korson; granddaughter, Katie (Kent) Knutson; great-grandchildren, Rylan, Davis and Emmalyn Knutson; niece, Shirley (Larry) Lawson of Maple City
He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy Lawson (1992); daughter, Rebecca Korson (2009); brothers, Carl "Toby" Lawson, Floyd Lawson, Harold "Hap" Lawson, Glendon Lawson, Troy "Junie" Jr. Lawson; sisters, Bernice Sieffert, Fern Boutain, Doris "Tootsie" Barr, and Lucille Lawson.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Monday, September 17, 2018 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Burial with military honor guard services from the Cherryland VFW Post 2780, will be held at 1 pm on the same day at the Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Charles's name may be directed to Cherryland VFW Post 2780 or the Paralyzed Veterans of America 801 Eighteenth St. NW, Washington D.C. 20006.
Please share your thoughts and memories with Charles's family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.