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Submitted: 7/30/22 • Approved: 8/2/22 • Last Updated: 8/5/22 • R1441426-G1441424-S3
Leona
April 6, 1927 - November 28, 2019
Raymond
February 16, 1926 - April 29, 2015
Mary
October 10, 1931 - April 9, 1994
Dr. Raymond Wellborn Lawson was born February 16, 1926 and passed away surrounded by his family, on April 29, 2015 at his home. He was 89. He is the son of the late Gilbert G. Lawson and Mary Esther Currier Lawson of Hot Springs. He was a native and lifelong resident of Hot Springs, graduating from Hot Springs High School in 1944. He received a B.A. Degree from Henderson State Teachers College in 1949. He was inducted into the US Army June 15, 1944 at Camp Robinson, Arkansas and chose to become part of the Infantry. While in basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia he became qualified as an expert in the M1 Rifle, M1 Carbine, light Machine Gun and the Browning automatic rifle. Raymond was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division completing Airborne and Gliderman training earning Parachutist and Gliderman Wings. He was honorably discharged in May 1946, having been awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, American Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal and Expert Infantry Badge. His service was completed as a Lieutenant.
In April of 1954, Dr. Lawson graduated from Chicago College of Dental Surgery, Loyola University Chicago, and returned to Hot Springs to open his dental practice. He married Mary Snow Banski, December 30, 1954; they were married for 40 years until her death, April 9, 1994. He is predeceased by his parents, Gilbert and Mary Esther Lawson; his brothers, Gilbert Jr. and James C. Laws; and step-son, Dan Doss.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Reverend Doctor Leona D. Lawson and three daughters, Snow Gayle Breitenfeld (Ken), Melissa J. Smith (Michael), Mary Robin Foster (Mike); step-son, Rick Doss (Paula); ten grandchildren, Kathryn Snow Leigh (Clay), Rachel Frances Thomas (Adam), Erica Leigh Johnson (Josh), Mary Rebecca Foster, Laura Elizabeth Foster, Meredith Anne Medcalf (Travis), Douglas Hunter Sanders, Natalie Nicole Sanders, Mitchell Cole Sanders, and Jennifer Doss; ten great-grandchildren, Jake, Addison and Luke Leigh, Lilly Ann and Lawson Thomas, Abigail and Sloan Issa, Emelyn Johnson, William Medcalf and Noble Doss.
Dr. Lawson practiced dentistry and dental surgery in Hot Springs for 29 years. He was active in the Garland County Dental Association and the Arkansas State Dental Association until his retirement. On April 3rd, 2004 he was recognized by the Arkansas State Dental Association for 50 years of membership. Raymond was a lifelong Presbyterian and a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. J. Kevin Rudder, Hollywood Avenue Family Clinic, Elite Home Health, and Gentiva Hospice for all of care and love given.
Contributed on 7/30/22 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1441426