Dan A. Lawson

Dan A. Lawson of Casper passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, May 14th at Shepherd of the Valley Healthcare Center. He was 90. Dan lived all of his life in Casper and was well-known throughout the community. For over two years, he had resided at Maurice Griffith Manor in Paradise Valley. Dan's family will forever appreciate the compassion, care and friendship provided to Dan by the staff at MGM and Shepherd of the Valley. Dan's wife of 69 years, Betty Darel Lawson, passed away on April 28th just two weeks and two days before Dan. They will now be together forever.

Dan's parents, Ethel E. and Alex S. Lawson first moved to Casper from Utah in 1919. Dan was born on August 14th, 1922 in Pleasant Grove, Utah while his mother was visiting relatives. Dan grew up in Casper and attended local schools. As a youth growing up in Casper, Dan also worked for the Bureau of Reclamation during the summers. He helped to build transmission power lines from Cody to Thermopolis. Dan graduated from Natrona County High School in 1940. For over 60 years, Dan and Darel enjoyed the many reunions of the Class of '40. They both worked tirelessly to make each reunion a success.

Subsequent to graduation from NCHS, Dan enrolled in the fall of 1940 as a Forestry major at the University of Wyoming. After three semesters, Dan left UW and enlisted in the United States Army in August of 1942. He always took great pride in saying that he had enlisted and did not wait to be drafted. After basic training at Camp Roberts in California, Dan was stationed at several posts. In the summer of 1943, he was attending Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh. It was at this time that he met his future wife, Betty Darel Ickes, while on a blind date in Akron, Ohio. Dan was preparing to depart for combat service in Italy and, prior to departure, he and Darel were married in Casper on January 31st, 1944. Dan served in the Italian Campaign in 1944 and 1945. He served in Headquarters Company of the 91st Infantry Division. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal and the American Service Medal.

Dan returned to Casper in July of 1945 and was honorably discharged from the service in November of 1945. Dan and Darel decided to remain in Casper. In 1946, after a short stint with the Standard Oil Refinery, Dan began 41 years of employment with Northern Utilities, Inc. (later known as the Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company). During these post-war years, the couple raised their three children: Darel Diana, Allan Craig and Dana Alex.

It was also during these years that Darel and Dan were very active in many Casper service organizations and social clubs in Casper. Dan served in numerous positions with the VFW and served a term as Post Commander for VFW Powder River Post 991. He also served in several positions with the Casper Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) culminating with a term as President of the Jaycees. Dan and Darel were also active in the Casper Sertoma Club, the March of Dimes, the Elks, and the Lions to name only a few. Dan remained a lifetime member of both the VFW and the Elks.

Dan was an avid golfer. He achieved two "holes-in-one". In March of 1974, Dan thwarted a burglary attempt at the Casper Community Golf Course Pro Shop. While single-handedly subduing the young offender, he was seriously stabbed. His heroism was later recognized by the City of Casper and the Casper Police Department.

Dan retired in 1987. Subsequent to retirement, Dan continued to enjoy golf and traveled to Arizona and California. A highlight of his life was participating in the Wyoming Honor Flight program in October of 2011. As part of the final Wyoming Honor Flight, Dan and his son Dana traveled to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial and other war memorials. The trip was a fitting capstone for his long, interesting and dedicated life.

Dan is survived by his son, Allan Craig and his wife Gail of Casper and son Dana Alex of Denver, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Darel Lawson, in 2013. His daughter, Darel Diana, also predeceased him in 1999. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Alex as well as his brother, Lloyd.

Private family graveside services for both Dan and Darel will be held at the Oregon Trail Veteran's Cemetery in Casper. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to either the Casper Humane Society, 849 E. "E" Street, Casper, WY 82601 or to Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions, 319 S. Wilson, Casper, WY 82601.

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