Richard R. Lawton

02/01/1921 - 07/13/2012

Richard R. Lawton
Richard (Dick) Lawton passed away on July 13, 2012 in Visalia, California at the age of 91. Born on February 1, 1921 in San Francisco, he later moved to South Pasadena in the 1930s with his family. Dick served in the U. S. Coast Guard during World War II and served in the South Pacific on the Pelieu Islands. After serving his country, he worked for the Chevron Oil Company in Los Angeles and married Elizabeth (Betty) Thompson in 1948. Dick and Betty with their two sons, Steve and Bruce, arrived in the Santa Ynez Valley in 1954 when Dick took over the Standard Oil distributorship in Los Olivos. In the years to come he would also become the distributor of Standard Oil (Chevron) products in Lompoc.
He loved to travel and learn more about our country. He especially loved the Sierras and shared his knowledge about history and wonders of nature on many camping trips with his family. Dick was very interested in history and continued his father's interest in collecting antiques. He became an antique gun collector and later would have a reputation as an expert on the firearms of the 1800s. In addition, he occasionally took on the challenge of refinishing and restoring antique furniture.
In the 1960s he and his wife, Betty, opened an antique store (Gaslight Garret) in Solvang which specialized in antique music boxes. After a few years, they closed the Gaslight Garret and put more attention into volunteer activities in the community. But, in the early 1970s he sold his Chevron distributorships and joined Betty in owning and operating Nathalie's Doll House in Solvang.
Dick had extensive involvement in the community of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. Besides his participation as one of the store owners, he became very active in the local Rotary Club. He joined Rotary in its second year in 1960 with the sponsorship of Dr. Frank Pedersen. Dick served as president of the club 1968-1969 and during his 43 years of membership, received the Paul Harris Fellowship award three times. In his last years of membership, he especially enjoyed his role of Song Leader. He was a member and also served as Post Commander of the American Legion, served on the College School Board and was involved with the Santa Ynez Historical Society and Museum in its early years. Dick served as a member and then chairman of the local Santa Ynez Hospital Board in the 1980s and became quite familiar with the medical community. In the 1990s he helped form the Men's Forum with some friends which provided a platform for discussions on current topics with interesting guest speakers. He is particularly proud of his contributions in public service and followed in the footsteps of his father who was also very active in a similar manner in Los Angeles and South Pasadena.
Dick and Betty left the Santa Ynez Valley to live near their son, Stephen, and his family in 2003; they realized it would be a good idea to be closer to other family members for help on some day to day needs. After Betty's passing in 2005, Dick became a resident of the Magnolia Park senior care facility. His family is eternally grateful to the staff and administration for their loving care provided for Dick in his final years.
Dick is survived by his son, Stephen Lawton and wife, Jacqueline of Visalia. His grandchildren, Yuri Temmerman and husband Paul of Visalia, Mari Okada of Fresno, Skye Michael and husband Kevin of Arizona, MacGregor Lawton and wife Cherrelle of Arizona, and Skye and Mac's mother, Karen of Arizona. In addition, Dick is survived by great - grandchildren in California and Arizona. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, and son, Bruce.
Dick will return to his beloved Santa Ynez Valley when a graveside service will be held on Friday July 20 at 12 pm at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard. Donations in memory of Richard Lawton can be made to the Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Rd., Solvang, Calif. 93463.