In Loving Memory of Joe Milton Lawson, III

Joe Milton Lawson III, age 74, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on August 21, 2019.  He was born on July 22, 1945 in New London, Connecticut to Joe Milton Lawson II and Bonnie May McClain Lawson Hackworth. He grew up in Indiana and graduated high school in Fairmount, Indiana.  Joe was a man of faith and worshipped God regularly as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In fact, it was at the Blue and Gold Banquet at Church where he met his loving Barbara.  She went over to him because he was wearing cowboy boots and the rest is history.  They were married on April 12, 1968 in Logan, Utah and celebrated 51 wonderful years of marriage.  He was a hardworking man and could do just about anything.  He worked on the machinery for Henderson Mine in Empire, Colorado and Red Stone Mine in Glenwood Springs, Colorado; he was a custodian for the church, a farmer of goats, and was also an auto mechanic.  In addition to those things, he was also a published author, writing 7 books, 1 of which was published. Family and friends would often hear Joe making up songs to sing about everything; he truly loved to sing.  He also loved reading and learning new things, going camping, hiking, and driving 4-wheelers, especially in Moab, Utah, and he loved old cars…the older the better.  One of many things that Joe will be remembered for was the tradition of him telling the story “The Night Before Christmas” to introduce Santa Clause to the children at Christmas parties. It always made him so happy to do that.

Joe is preceded in death by his father, Joe Milton Lawson II; his mother Bonnie May Hackworth; and his sister Bonnie Jo Binninger.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara L. Lawson of Calhan, Colorado; four daughters, Lucinda Holcomb of Calhan, Colorado, Melissa Lawson of Hartsel, Colorado, Roberta Choate of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Cassandra Wagner of Calhan, Colorado; two sons, Joe Lawson of Simla, Colorado, and Nephi Lawson of Deep Run, North Carolina; and 21 grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Pikes Peak Hospice for his last days of comfort and to Memorial Hospital for giving him the best of care.