John Lawson

Tuscon, Ariz.

John Leon Lawson, age 79, of Gardar, ND and Tucson, AZ, passed away on June 19, 2023, at Banner UMC hospital in Tucson, AZ.

John was born on April 8, 1944, in Jamestown to Thomas Wentworth Lawson and Iola Eirikson. He graduated from Bishop Ryan High School in Minot, ND in 1962.

John joined the Air Force in 1963, serving four years as a Security Policeman. After his discharge in 1967 he joined the Minot Police Department, where he also attended Minot State University. Following his successful application to the US Border Patrol, John was stationed in the Southwest Sector. He then transferred to US Customs and Immigration, travelling to Haines, Alaska where he worked on the Alaska/Yukon border until his retirement in 2000. John and his wife Jacki enjoyed the next 24 years dividing their time between Alaska, North Dakota and Arizona.

It was clear to everyone who met John that he enjoyed his 33 years in law enforcement. John had many interesting, usually humorous, memories to share and was always proud to have had the opportunity to serve his country.

John is survived by his wife Jacki, son Thomas (Sina) Lawson, daughter Lea Ann (Chad) Atterton, stepson Brock (Vanessa) Martin, stepson Bryce (Kyffin) Martin and sister Norma Jean Ruble of Fairview, OR.

John was a grandpa to 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his eldest son MSG US Army Robert Thomas Lawson on November 24, 2020, and his parents Thomas Wentworth Lawson and Iola Eirikson.

There will be a Military Honor Guard graveside service for John at the Pioneer Church Cemetery in Gardar, ND at 10:30 a.m. on Friday September 22nd 2023.

Published by The Minot Daily News, Aug. 2, 2023.