Laurence Letson

1940 - 2023

Laurence Letson
August 11, 1940 - June 6, 2023
Salem, South Carolina - Laurence Ronald "Ron" Letson, 82, of Salem, SC, passed Tuesday, June 6, 2023, after a courageous 17-year battle with vascular dementia. He was born August 11, 1940, in Lincoln, NE, elder son of Evelyn and William Letson.
Ron grew up in Red Cloud, NE, then graduated from Wentworth Military Academy (MO). A mechanical engineering degree from the University of Nebraska and the ROTC rank of Colonel followed. He honorably served four years in the Quartermaster Corp and as a military advisor in the US Army. Upon receiving a Juris Doctorate from George Washington University, he practiced intellectual property law for 30+ years at IBM Mas Hamilton and in private practice in Lexington, KY. Desk bound weekly, he was a weekend entrepreneur with Linc Graphics.
He was a 60-year mason, with membership at Charity Lodge of Red Cloud, Franklin Lodge and Oleika or Hejaz Shrine Temples. Initiating a program to fly critically burned Eastern Kentucky children to Cincinnati Shrine Hospital, he combined his passion for flying and serving others. Ron was a proud member of Acacia Fraternity, Virginia Bar Association, and US Supreme Court Bar. He was previously a Louisville Zoo FONZ Board Member.
Ron was an avid sportsman who loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and boating. He deeply loved his family, dogs, Nebraska football, Kentucky basketball, and military history. He was always ready with one liners and practical jokes.
Cherishing his memory are Dianne, wife of 58 years; children Laura (Russell) and Wally (Jettie); grandson Jay and Lauren, Russell's daughter; brother Michael; niece Alison; nephew Michael Jr. (Elaine); in-laws and other relatives. Thank you to Rodney, MSA Hospice, and Park Place memory care staff for the love and compassion you shared with Ron.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in early September on Fripp Island, SC. The family can be contacted at LRLetson@earthlink.net.
Ron believed vascular dementia should be better understood. Please consider memorial donations to MUSC Foundation (843-792-2677, designate. Campbell Neuropathology Laboratory), Shriners Hospital for Children or The Louisville Zoo.