2nd Lt. Timothy G. Lawson

LAWSON, 2nd Lt. Timothy G. Born August 31, 1972 in Santa Rosa, CA, was memorialized at Lemoore Naval Air Station in Lemoore, CA following his untimely death on Monday, May 21, 2001 that occurred while returning from a flight in El Centro, CA to clear the bombing range during a routine training mission. Tim’s memorial service in Lemoore on Friday, May 25 was a dual service to honor both he and Lt. Cmdr. Timothy L. Gilbreth, the pilot he was with. The services included full military honors with a 21 gun salute and a fly-by of four FA-18 jets executing the missing man formation to honor their fallen comrades. On Tuesday, May 29, Tim’s ashes were scattered at his Aunt Sally’s, Pacific Star Winery, in Westport, CA following a military funeral again with full honors, which was attended by family and the many friends that Tim had gained in his 28 years of living. Tim’s accomplishments include many. He was proficient in baseball, ice hockey, and golf and was an avid deer hunter. He had recently become a certified diving instructor. Prior to his service in the United States Marine Corps, Tim had served four years in the Navy and received the Navy Achievement Medal for his bravery in the line of duty during a liquid oxygen fire aboard the USS Independence. Following the Navy, Tim attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he played in the Junior College World Series. He then moved to CA and attended College of the Redwoods in Fort Bragg while working at his aunt’s winery. Tim then moved on to attend California State University, Sacramento, with his younger brother where they graduated in December 1998 with Bachelors of Arts Degrees in Criminal Justice. While in Sacramento he interned with the Secret Service and was later offered a position with them as well as the CIA. Tim turned both of these offers down in order to seek and catch his dream of flying. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2000 and attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. Upon graduation, he was commissioned to Second Lieutenant and reported to the Basic School, Quantico, VA in August 2000. Upon receiving orders to Pensacola, FL for flight training, he was assigned temporary duty to NAS Lemoore, CA to wait a June class date for flight training. He reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 23 in April 2001 and was assigned to VFA 125 Scheduling Office. Tim’s military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars. Tim is survived by his father and stepmother, Ken and Candace Lawson, stepbrother and stepsister James and Colleen Huppert, Sebastopol, CA; brother, sister-in-law and nephew, Gary, Amy and Benjamin Lawson, Santa Clarita, CA; mother and brother, Joan Ottoson and David Lipscomb, Fortuna, CA; grandparents, Elmer and Billie Lawson, Fred and Marge Ottoson, Fort Bragg, CA and many aunts, uncles and cousins all of who love and will miss him dearly. Tim’s father’s wish is that contributions be made in Tim’s memory to a favorite charity or to the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Aquatic Center, 213 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg, CA 95437 (707) 964-9446. Also a trust fund has been established in Tim’s memory to benefit Lt. Cmdr. Gilbreth’s surviving children Christian and Michael and those contributions can be sent to Chris L. Arctander, 662 Wexford Ct., Lemoore, CA 93245. The family and loved ones of Tim wish to express their sincerest gratitude for the love and support of all those who have assisted them during this difficult time.