Gerald Lawton

September 7, 2006

Gerald Lawton, 83, of Cooper, IA passed away at Mercy Hospice Johnston, Thursday, September 7, 2006. Funeral services will be 11:00am Monday September 11, 2006 at First United Methodist Church, Jefferson, IA, with interment at Franklin Twp Cemetery near Cooper. Visitation will be held at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson Sunday September 10th beginning at 8:00am. Family will be present at the funeral home to greet friends from 5-8pm Sunday. Memorials may be given to the Cooper United Methodist Church or the Cooper Community Center. Gerald, son of Harvey and Nellie (Stephenson) Lawton was born July 14, 1923 at his home near Cooper. He graduated with the class of 1941 from Franklin Township Consolidated School and went on to graduate from Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI) with degrees in agriculture, social studies, and physical education. After teaching and coaching for two years at Newhall and two years at Floyd, he returned to the family farm at Cooper. In 1954, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Lou Boddicker of Newhall with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Gerald was a member of the United Methodist Church in Cooper, of which he and Dot were actively involved. Gerald was a longtime cattle feeder in Greene County as well as township trustee, Cooper school board member, Greene County Cattlemen board member, and 4-H leader. Gerald was passionate about promoting his hometown of Cooper, Iowa. In 1981 he appeared on the Johnny Carson show to help promote the Cooper Centennial. He loved planning and attending all events, especially those of his children and grandchildren. His love of basketball and coaching led him in later years to resume his coaching career at YJB, Central Webster, Dayton, and Dallas Center-Grimes. He served as a volunteer assistant for a few years at Jefferson-Scranton. He also loved officiating basketball and received his 50-year certificate in 1997. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and a brother-in-law, Jim Graven. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Dot) Lawton; a son, Doug Lawton and his wife Karen of Cooper; son Ron Lawton and wife Jane of Jefferson; daughter Ann Lawton of Cedar Rapids; daughter Karin Dunn and husband Scott of Grimes; and son Todd Lawton and wife Amy of Dallas Center. Also surviving are ten grandchildren: Kati Nailor (Will) of Indianola, Diana Towers (Justin) of Huxley, Lance Lawton of Cooper, Crystal Scheuermann (Shawn) of Jefferson, Autumn Lawton of Jefferson, Ethan, Bridget, and Kylie Dunn of Grimes, and Drew and Nic Lawton of Dallas Center; two great grandchildren: Cooper Nailor of Indianola and Gavin Scheuermann of Jefferson; and a sister, Lois Graven of Jefferson.