Final Salute

ASHVILLE- John Eldon Lawson, 66, of Limestone, TN, and formerly of Ashville, NY, and Jamestown, NY passed away unexpectedly on November 27, 2021 at the Greeneville Community Hospital East in Greeneville, TN.

He was born July 13, 1955 in Westfield, NY the son of the late Eldon “Ernie” and Esther Smith Lawson.

John was a 1973 graduate of Chautauqua Central School and had also attended BOCES for auto mechanics. After high school he enlisted into the United States Navy were he proudly served his country for four years as a Seabee. After being honorably discharged he worked as a mechanic for Sears in Lakewood and then earned his CDL and was an over the road trucker before working for Hope’s Windows Inc. in Jamestown where he worked for twenty-seven years as a laborer and supervisor and was a Union member. After retiring from Hope’s Windows, he finished his working years with Southern Tier Brewery.

He was a member of the Ashville Fire Department where he served as an EMT3 and was an active member of the Lakewood American Legion Post 1286 where he served as Treasurer for two years and was the current Board President for the last three years.

John enjoyed golfing, hunting, camping, NASCAR, football and most of all spending time with his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty years; Coleen Howser Lawson, his four children; J. (Stacy) Howser, Kenny (Heather) Zysk, Sally (Todd) Janson and Paige (Tom) Milligan, his grandchildren; Jocelyn Howser, Derrick Howser, Bryce Zysk, Megan Howell, Brooke Rodriguez, Anthony DePonceau, Kaitlyn and Madison Ford, his great grandchildren; Milah (MyMY Squirmbutt) Alexander, Yandel, Aaliyah and Aryana Rodriguez, Jayden, Wyatt, and Brantley Jackson, and his two brothers; Bradley (Christine) Lawson, and Bryan (Meghan) Lawson and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles and in-laws.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a great granddaughter; Bella Rodriguez.

The funeral will be held at 1PM on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at the Dewittville Christian Missionary Alliance Church (5821 Meadows Rd, Dewittville, NY 14728) where military honors will be presented by the Lakewood Legion Post 1286. The Rev. Andrew Frudd will officiate the funeral. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Ashville, NY.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, December 6th from 2-4PM and 6-8PM at the Freay Funeral Home in Mayville (139 S. Erie St).

Memorial donations can be made to the Lakewood American Legion Post 1286 (174 Chautauqua Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750) or the Ashville Dire Department (5338 Stow Road, Ashville, NY 14710) or to the funeral home to help offset the final expenses.

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com