James Malcolm Lawson

James Malcolm Lawson, 78, passed away November 12, 2014. Visitation will be held Friday evening, November 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines; and the memorial service Saturday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Ave in West Des Moines. Jim graciously donated his body to the University of Iowa and will later be laid to rest at Ottumwa Cemetery in Ottumwa, IA.

Jim was born on April 27, 1936 in Des Moines, IA to Cora (Talle) and Clifford Lawson and was raised in the Ottumwa area. He married Donna Bachman and spent two years in the US Army at Ft. Sill in Lawton, OK with stops in Wichita and Sacramento before his return to Ottumwa, where he and Donna raised three children. Jim made a second stay in Sacramento before returning to Iowa in 1997. He was independent with an entrepreneurial spirit and a natural curiosity. He enjoyed learning and developed an eye for photography. He also taught himself the guitar, keyboards, and mandolin. Jim was a sharp dresser and loved the outdoors.

He is survived by his children, Jim (Rachel Stauffer) Lawson, Lynn (Larry Pieart) Lawson, and Kari (Jon) Ferguson; and grandchildren, Clinton and Cody Ferguson. He was preceded in death by his parents; and the mother of his children.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, the Ottumwa Public Library or to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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