Jay Lee Lawson

Jay Lee Lawson, 84, Sweetser, went to be with the Lord at 4:31 am on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Marion Health. He was born in Grant County, Indiana, on Saturday, May 25, 1940, to Lawrence and Mary (Flook) Lawson.  He was married on October 18, 1975, to Diane (Jacobs) Lawson, who survives.   Jay graduated from Sweetser High School in 1958. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Thailand. He achieved the rank of Airman First Class and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and Commendation Medal. Following his honorable discharge from the military, Jay had worked with SCM Paper Products, Sears, and United Technologies.  He was a member of Sweetser Wesleyan Church. More than anything, Jay loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid IU, Chicago Cubs, and Oak Hill Golden Eagles fan. He enjoyed gardening, having grown his own vegetables and cared for his garden bottle tree over the years. He always kept flowers growing around his home and liked to maintain his property. He enjoyed spending his winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife. Jay was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he was a devoted follower of the Lord. He was resilient in the face of cancer and, with the help of God, won his battle. He will be missed dearly. Survivors include his loving wife, Diane Lawson of Sweetser; sons, Nathan (Katy) Lawson of Amboy and Jacob (Emily) Lawson of Sweetser; grandchildren, Ryan, Matthew, and Brooke; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and close friends, Arch (Lynnda) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Roberta Marcott, Marianna Weaver, Ruth Horn, and Juanita Lawson; and brothers, Lyman Wayne Lawson, Merle Lawson, Earl Lawson, and Fred Lawson. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN. On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, a service to celebrate Jay's life will begin at 11:00 am with Rev. Matthew Stewart and Dr. Aaron Perry co-officiating.  Burial will take place at LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Sweetser Wesleyan Church, 200 W. Delphi Rd., Sweetser, IN 46987 or Gilead Ministries, 212 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN 46952. Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.