Darrel Lawson

Darrel C. Lawson, 78, lifetime resident of Pocatello, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, June 18, 2011, from end stage Pulmonary Fibrosis, which was diagnosed in 2005. Darrel was born on December 22, 1932, in Pocatello, Idaho, the eldest child of Rufus and Beatrice (Bolingbroke) Lawson. As a young boy, Darrel worked in Arbon Valley with his Grandpa Bolingbroke and his Uncle John Bolingbroke. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1951. He attended and graduated from Idaho State College in 1955, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration. In November 1955, he enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Wasp and the USS Curtiss. The USS Curtiss transported Seabees to the Antarctica Expedition: Operation Deep Freeze commanded by Admiral Byrd. During his service he also toured Hawaii, Japan, China, Australia, and New Zealand. In 1957, he was transferred to the Navy reserves and returned home to Pocatello and Arbon Valley. He worked at Simplot in the accounting department for 10 years, as well as ranching and farming near Simplot. By 1970, Darrel left Simplot to do what he loved most, work full time ranching and farming in Arbon Valley. On June 7, 1999, Darrel married the love of his life, Lana Gite Lawson. He continued ranching and farming, now working side by side with Lana. They worked together on the farm in Arbon Valley and tended their cattle at Fort Hall, worshipped together and loved to explore and appreciate God's grace together. In a letter Darrel wrote to Lana, he expressed "On those darkest of nights when I was able to look into the heavens and think of how lucky I am to have found a person with all your talents and gifts to work with me until we had finished all the work scheduled for that day. I have often thought of how you and I must have been cut from the same log. Without your determination, some of our jobs would not have been completed." Darrel was very active in the Community of Christ church. Over the years he served as a Sunday School Teacher, church Treasurer, Elder and Pastor. Darrel is survived by his devoted wife, Lana Lawson of Pocatello; her sons Justin Cleveland and Aaron Flynn of Portland OR; siblings: Myrna (David) Lowenthal and Donna Rounds of Pocatello; 2 grandchildren, 1 nephew and 4 nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Marilynn. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Cary Jackson, Dr. Jose Rosselo, Dr. Jacob DeLaRosa, and the Creekside Hospice Staff for the care and comfort provided. Memorial services will be held on Friday, June 24, 2011, at 11:00am at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 South Fourth Ave. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, with military rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard. The ladies of Community of Christ church will provide a reception at the church at 1:00pm, 4588 Bannock Hwy. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com. Funeral Recording