Donald Lynn Lawson, 86 of Vernon, Texas passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024, in Vernon, Texas.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 10:00 am at East to West Baptist Church, formerly Central Christian Church, with Rev. Jim Antwine officiating. Burial will follow at Wilbarger Memorial Park under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home.

Don was born Sunday, October 16, 1938, in Lockett, Texas. He was the son of the late Carl "Nub" Lawson and the late Ruth Lewellyn Lawson. He married Bettie Wilson on June 3, 1972, in Vernon, Texas. He was a life-long resident of Vernon, Texas, and he graduated from Lockett High School in 1957. Attended Tarleton State University and Midwestern State University.

He also played Semi Pro Football for the Vernon Vikings.  He was a Center and Linebacker. A long-time member of Central Christian Church where he was an Elder, Trustee and past Chairman of the Board.  He also sang in the Church Choir for many years. Don was also a member of the Vernon Lions Club starting in 1973 for a total of fifty one years. He held positions such as Past President, Director, Tail Twister and many more positions. He was a member of Vernon Jaycees as well as The Vernon Riding Club back in the day. He also was a substitute for the Vernon Palomino Club. He was well known for officiating and umpiring sports.  He and his brothers, Bobby and David owned and operated Circle L Builders for many years.

We all will remember Don as "SANTA ON THE ROOF" on Bismarck Street. He climbed on the roof in 1972 and retired thirty plus years later.  The community would drive by the Lawson house on Christmas Eve to see Santa Clause on top of the Lawson's ROOF!  Kids of all ages would yell up to Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. He would yell, "HO HO HO……Santa will be there soon!!!!". Don was our PaPa, then, now and forever.

Don is survived by his brother, Bobby Lawson & wife Sammy of Wichita Falls, Texas; his sister, Reba Martin & husband Rick of Dallas, Texas; his daughter, Randilyn Harrington & husband Dwayne of Throckmorton, Texas; his son, Courtney Harvey & wife Tracy of Arlington, Texas; two grandsons, Casey Harvey & wife Madi of Benbrook, Texas, and Brady Harvey & wife Krystal of Mansfield, Texas, and granddaughter Brittany Schneider & husband Adam of San Marcus, Texas. Don also leaves behind four great grandchildren, Braxton Harvey, Blakely Harvey, Henry Harvey, and Calem Schneider, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Don is preceded in death by his wife, Bettie Louise Lawson.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 28, 2024, from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sullivan Funeral Home.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls or Wilbarger County Humane Society.