OBITUARY: Thomas Lawton

Thomas James Lawton, 83 of Chester, passed away at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh on Saturday, April 15, 2023, after suffering a stroke at his home on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

Tom was born in Chester on August 9, 1939, he was the son of the late Franklin Y. and Virginia B. Silverthorn Lawton.

Tom was a passionate and insatiable reader, consuming literature of all genres. He loved John Deer tractors, of which he had many. He proudly served his country as a Minuteman in the United States Air Force after graduating in 1957 from the former Wells High School in Newell. He worked for many years as a Truck Driver at Butterfield Trucking and retired from the maintenance department at Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort.

Along with his parents, his wife, Norma Lawton, his brother, Dave Lawton, and his sister, Linda Delaney preceded him in death.

Tom’s loving family includes his children, Terry (Tyson) Siewiyumptewa of Hanover, CO, Virginia (Kenny) Lawrence of East Liverpool, James (Susan) Lawton, Darline (Erik) Turner of Rincon, GA, Bobbi (Tony) McCoy of Effingham, GA, Fred A Lawton of Chester, Wv, and an estranged daughter, Lori (Harv) Schmidt of Chester, seventeen grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren. In addition, he leaves his brother, Joe Lawton of Chester, and his sister, Lenna Lockhart of East Liverpool.

He is in the care of the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester, and a private family memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate to your local Humane Society in his name.