Roy Berton Lawson, 88, of Burlington, KS, passed away early Friday, May 20, 2022, at Gardner, KS.

Roy was born June 24, 1933, at Gridley, KS, the son of Arthur Clayton "Skeet" Lawson and Opal Irene (Hare) Lawson. He grew up at Gridley, attended several country schools and graduated from Gridley High School. He served two years in the U.S. Army. He attended Barber School in Kansas City, MO, and later became a member of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society.

On May 20, 1967, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Lida Beatrice Whitcomb, at Nowata, OK. Roy would pass on their 55 ^th wedding anniversary.

Roy worked as a barber, as a District Manager for Kerr McGee Oil Co., and owned and operated Coffey County Heating and Air.

Roy was a firm believer in Jesus Christ and raised his family on the truths and promises of God. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Burlington and was a member of the Building Committee for the new church building. He was also the first face to greet people every Sunday morning for many years. Roy loved fishing. After celebrating their honeymoon fishing at John Redmond Reservoir, he and Lida became fishing partners for life. Roy was an avid fisherman who delighted in sharing his passion with family and friends. You knew Roy liked you if he was joking with you and picking on you. He was known for always having the right tool and fixing things for whoever needed help. His greatest joy was the time spent with his family and with a fishing rod in his hand.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Virginia Birk, Arthur Clayton Lawson, Jr., Marion "Skeet" Lawson, and Robert "Gene" Lawson; a son, Mark Robert Lawson; and his ex-wife, Kathleen O'Donnell.

He leaves his wife, Lida; children, Kimberla Ann Lawson and husband Delnor Neufeld; Justin Lynn Lawson and wife Tammie; Thomas Lawson; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

The family will meet with friends from 1:00 P.M. Wednesday until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fisher House Foundation (they build comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay for free while a loved one is in the hospital) and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.