THOMAS E. LAWSON

THOMAS E. LAWSON

Thomas Elbert Lawson, 82, passed away at his home in Wichita, Kansas, on Monday, August 2, 2021.

Born on October 14, 1938, in Baring, Missouri, Tom was the son of Harold and Dorothy Slocum Lawson.

On June 8th, 1963, he was united in marriage to Karen Pickard in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He worked as an engineer for Boeing Aircraft and Sperry Aircraft in Salt Lake City, Utah, New York City and Wichita, Kansas, where they have lived since 1966.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, a sister, Marilyn Goodwin of Edina, MO; brothers-in-law Paul Pickard of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kenneth Goodwin, and Tom Hirner, both of Edina, Missouri, Eugene Fodness of Minneota, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Judi Lawson of Douglas, Kansas; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Linda Hirner, Suzanne Lee and Barbara Fodness; and one brother, Robert Lawson of Douglass, Kansas.

Tom graduated from Baring High School, attended Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. University of Missouri in Columbia, MO and graduated with a degree in engineering from Rolla School of Mines and Engineering in Rolla, MO.

Tom and Karen provided a home for several foster sons and served as a host family for several exchange students. He enjoyed fishing, mountain climbing, and his many pet cats. He was a good gardener, auto mechanic, and all-round fix-it man until he became too ill to work on his projects.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, August 12 at Cedar Chapel United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas.