LAWSON, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Warren G. 'Bud' 1933 - 2016

LAWSON, RABEL, WELLS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/28/2016 at 15:04:37

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, August 15, 2016
Page 6

Warren 'Bud' LAWSON

Warren "Bud" LAWSON, 83, of West Des Moines and formerly of Fairfield, died Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016, at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines (note: in Polk Co., IA).

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Camp Dodge on a date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Maj. Gen. (Retired) LAWSON's name to the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences and memories can be shared on his page at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com.

Ankeny Funeral Home in Ankeny is assisting with arrangements.

Maj. Gen. LAWSON was born Aug. 2, 1933, in Fairfield, the son of Vernon and Wilma RABEL LAWSON.

Survivors include: his wife Bobbie of Ankeny; one daughter, Laurie WELLS of Ankeny; two granddaughters; three great-grandchildren; three brothers; Richard of Clifton, Virginia, Gene of Bettendorf, and Roger of Tuscan (sic - Tucson?), Arizona.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; and one son, Lance LAWSON.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, August 15, 2016
Front Page

Warren "Bud' LAWSON dies at age 83

Former Fairfield resident Warren G. "Bud" LAWSON, who guided the Iowa National Guard through many crises and operations in the 1980s and 1990s, died Wednesday at the age of 83.

Funeral arrangements for LAWSON are pending. A press release from the Iowa National Guard indicates the funeral and inurnment will be in mid-September. The family is grateful for prayers and well-wishes but does not seek flowers, food or gifts. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Iowa at www.alz.org/greateriowa.

Upon learning of his death, Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr said LAWSON was a "truly outstanding soldier and mentor to thousands of men and women during his distinguished career in the U.S. Army and the Iowa National Guard."

"He left an indelible mark on the Iowa National Guard and state of Iowa through his remarkable vision, intellect, integrity and commitment to excellence," Orr said. "We are a better state and nation in so many ways for his dedication and selfless service. Our prayers are with his wife, Bobbie, daughter, Laurie, and his extended family at this difficult time."

Orr holds the title of adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, a position previously held by LAWSON. LAWSON retired from active service on June 30, 1979, and the very next day he was appointed deputy adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, and later became its adjutant general. As Iowa's adjutant general from 1985-1999, LAWSON was responsible for the administration, training, and operations of more than 9,500 Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen.

According to a press release from the Iowa National Guard, LAWSON guided the guard through a series of local challenges and tragedies. Among those were the farm crisis of the 1980s, the response to the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 at the Sioux City Airport in 1989, the floods of 1993 and the Port Neal complex chemical plant explosion near Sioux City in 1994. LAWSON also shepherded the Iowa National Guard through Operation Desert Storm from 1990-91 and the reactivation of the 34th Infantry Division in 1991.

LAWSON was born Aug. 2, 1933 in Fairfield, where he graduated from high school in 1951. He obtained a degree in commerce from the University of Iowa, where he played the position of center for the Hawkeyes' football team from 1952-1954. During his senior season, he was named Iowa's Most Valuable Player.

The Fairfield native entered the military after graduating from college and put in more than 44 years of service before his retirement in 1999. He was commissioned an infantry second lieutenant in the regular Army in 1955. His early assignments included platoon leader and liaison officer in the 746th Armored Infantry Battalion and 3rd Armored Rifle Battalion. His assignments took him to Kansas, South Korea and Germany.

Eleven years after earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa, LAWSON earned his master's degree in industrial management from the University of Nebraska, where he worked as assistant professor of military science.

Though LAWSON entered the military shortly after the Korean War (sic - Korean Conflict), he stayed in it long enough to participate in America's next major conflict. In 1967, he served during the Vietnam War (sic - Vietnam Conflict) with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade as assistant operations officer and personnel officer.

"Bud" received numerous awards and decorations during his time in the armed forces. He received the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with two oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Iowa National Guard Medal of Valor, Iowa National Guard Medal of Merit, Iowa Commendation Medal and many others.

LAWSON's obituary appears on page 6.

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*Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc. This material may NOT be copied and re-posted in ANY PUBLIC VENUE such as Ancestry or Find A Grave without permission from The Fairfield Ledger ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Maj. Gen. Warren LAWSON, in uniform
 

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