John Phillip Lawson Age 86, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2016 at Madigan Army Hospital from a stroke. He was born on May 20, 1930, the youngest of four siblings of Earl James Lawson and Helen Van Kirk in Rochester, IN. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Leiters Ford, IN. In 1946 he married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Colleen Gelbaugh. He joined the Army in 1947 and his first assignment was with the Occupation Army in Japan at Sugamo Prison for war criminals. He also served in Korea, Germany, Ft. Knox, Ft. Monroe, finally Ft. Lewis. Retiring in 1968 he settled in Lakewood WA and worked for Safeway for 20 years. He enjoyed camping, dogs, gardening, long road trips, parades, military convoys, and he especially loved the US flag. Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Albert, sister Rosalie, son Steven [Kerry], and wife Colleen. He leaves behind his sister, Elosie, of Rochester, IN, sons Eric {Diana}, Theodore {Samorn}, Michael and numerous nephews, nieces, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Funeral services to be held on November 11, 2016 at 1100 AM with military honors, including services for his beloved wife, Colleen, at Mountain View Cemetery in Lake wood, WA.