Obituary of Jeffrey Allen Lawson

Jeffrey Allen Lawson was born on June 25, 1953, in Portland, Ore., the son of Allen Charlton and Vivian Gladys Lawson. He passed away peacefully on the morning of October 23, 2023, surrounded by his wife and four children after a battle with an aggressive cancer. To Jeff, family was everything; he loved nothing more than having everyone together. He was the first to greet you and offer to take your coat or get you something to drink. You could always count on him to walk you to your car on the way out. Those who knew him best will forever remember him as “Kepi” and fondly reflect on his kindness, humor, generosity, never-ending support, bright blue eyes, and notable mustache and beard. Jeff never turned down a rare steak, cold beer, a slice of cheesecake, or a scoop or two of ice cream. He loved the ocean and being on the beach, whether strolling in the sand or watching the sunset. Time spent on the water always brought him joy, from outboards to cabin cruisers for fishing, water skiing, or even dropping an anchor in the bay. He was also a longtime admirer of airplanes, gathering with family yearly to watch the air show on the home roof, and was especially enamored by the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. A foreign experience for the boy who grew up in the city, Jeff loved baling alfalfa in the early hours of the morning or riding the combine in the heat of the afternoon with his brother-in-law, Dave. He marveled at the science and flow of the dairy farm operated by his brother-in-law, Allen. He worked in the construction industry for over fifty years, starting on job sites for his father’s construction business at 14 and serving the rest of his career as a project manager or estimator at numerous companies in the Portland area. It was here that he developed lifelong connections and friendships. He is survived by his dear wife of 44 years, Maralee Lawson; children and spouses, Rian and Beth Lawson, Andrea Lawson, Erinn and Hector Caro, and Matt and Catherine Lawson; grandchildren Jack, Grace, and Noel; and sister Carolyn Lawson McNabb. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, the Lawson family encourages donations to the American Cancer Society to honor Jeff and support the ongoing fight against esophageal cancer.