Being the youngest of three children and the only girl, my memories of Daddy are very special. He was indeed a very special man. I guess he was never "Father" to me. Just "Daddy" or very rarely "Dad".

Vernon Lawson was born December 14, 1912 in Newton County, Arkansas to Thomas A. and Leuretta Mae Cowles Lawson. The youngest of ten children. He was born on his older sister Alice's birthday. She related Vernon was her very special brother. A gift to her.

When Vernon was about 7 years old the family moved, by team and wagon, to near Haskell, Muskogee County, Oklahoma. One year he drove me to a spot west of Muskogee where the family had stopped for the night at a "wagon camp" on that journey from Arkansas. He told me how the next morning they looked down the road and could see his Uncle Deck Cowles, his mother's brother, coming to meet them. Uncle Deck was standing up in his wagon, waving his hat with one hand, holding the reins with the other. Daddy's words,"He had the prettiest team of horses I'd ever seen." Until Uncle Deck's death years later, Daddy remained close to him.

Daddy was a hard worker all his life. He was a farmer, then an auto mechanic, and retired as an electrical inspector in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was very conservative when it came to spending money. If there was a way to repair something he wouldn't buy a new item. Of course, even when he died he thought his grandchildren could live well on $5 an hour and have new vehicles, nice homes and raise their children, if they managed their funds right. Even tho he managed a home I don't think he could imagine what it cost a family to live in the 90's.

Daddy was very "set in his ways", and didn't mind telling you how he felt about things. He often told me, "You would argue with a sign post, sis." He never considered how natural I came by that trait !

Dad never ran from what he considered his family responsibilities. We watched as he went to help his brother and sister's families when he lost a loved one. He was always there for them. When his sister Eva died he had just had eye surgery and couldn't travel. It broke his heart to not be there.

Daddy seemed to face any of life's problems one way. "HEAD ON". When they told us he was dying I felt I could not face losing him. I hung back when the others left. As I laid my head on his chest his arms came around me. I told him I just couldn't let him go. He stroked my hair and told me, "Your a Lawson. We do whatever we have to do. Go wash your face and go take care of things. I love you." I shall never forget those words. I did as he said and only hope he realized that and was proud of me.

It seemed farming had gotten under Dad's skin at an early age. He was never happier than when on his tractor turning the soil and planting his garden or mowing.

Dad could be very stern but also had a great sense of humor. He teased a lot and laughed a lot. He loved to play cards and did it well. Card games brought out all his "funny little sayings" and little songs. He always kept score and would say, "It's a poor scorekeeper who can't push the pencil enough to win". As if he might cheat. That word was one Daddy didn't know. He was as honest as the day is long.

He was a very loving man. Somedays he would be gruff and say he didn't understand all this hugging people did. So, teasing him I would call him "Mr. Bear" and ask if it was ok to give him a hug. From the smile on his face I knew he loved it even tho he would never admit it. Many times I've see him on his knees or sitting on the floor in front of Mother's chair. Sometimes with his head in her lap or his arms around her legs. Even after all those years she was the most precious thing in his life.

Yes, that beautiful smile is gone from us now. We will never hear his voice or his laughter again. He has gone and left a hugh void in our lives. However, he will always be with us. For he left so many wonderful memories for us. No bad memories, only good. I know in my heart he is watching over us. He still laughs with us and cries when we cry. Wherever I go, I know Daddy is with me, just walking a few steps behind.

For some of Daddys wonderful stories see "Vernon's Life" (Coming soon)