Thomas Lawson

Thomas Kevin Lawson of Adel, formerly of Des Moines, died Sunday, July 27th at home. He was 56 years old. Tom was born in Des Moines on October 11th, 1957 to Jake Lawson and Betty McCoy Lawson. He lived in Des Moines for many years and considered himself a true northsider, graduating from North High School in 1975. He was an Army veteran and a graduate of Grand View College.

Tom loved the outdoors and spent many hours fishing and hunting. He was an avid canoeist, once traveling 180 miles down the Mississippi river from Dubuque to Burlington. He enjoyed hiking and camping, but his favorite pastime was bird watching. As a member of the Iowa Ornithologists Union he was the chief birder in Dallas County for many years, and was a published author on bird species in Iowa. He was also a devoted member of the Dallas County Conservation Foundation to whom he dedicated countless hours to conservation education and the study of wild birds. Tom was a lifelong Chicago Bears fan!

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Betty Lawson. He is survived by his sister, Susan Griffiths of Des Moines; nieces, Amy Berman of Elmhurst, IL, Shannon Brock of Waterloo, IA, and Allison Griffiths of Des Moines, IA; uncle, William Walling of Des Moines, IA; and aunt, Arlene McCoy of San Diego, CA; and several cousins.

There will be a graveside service for Tom on Tuesday, August 5th at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Ornithologists Union or to the Dallas County Conservation Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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