Lawson “Larry” Stephen Marshall, age 53, died of a sudden heart attack at his home in Edmonds on Friday, April 26, 2002.
Lawson was born Feb. 15, 1949, in Rupert, Idaho, to Lafe and Alma Leona Marshall. He lived with his family in southern Idaho and north central Utah before moving to Montana in 1964. Lawson attended Missoula Sentinel High School, graduating in 1967. He married Janet Denesen in 1969. They had one daughter, Stefanie Lynne. Lawson served his country in the U.S. Army (1970-1973) in Italy and Germany. He returned to the states to work as a truck driver, dispatcher and fleet manager.
On June 17, 1984, Lawson married his life’s touchstone, Gayle Janet Everly. They lived as a family with Stefanie in Missoula and moved to Oak Harbor in 1988. In 1991 they settled in Edmonds. He loved the Northwest and walking his dogs on the beach.
His most recent joy was playing with his grandson, Marshall.
Another love of Lawson’s was writing. He freelanced for national transportation magazines and spent one year in Boston writing for a transportation PR firm. In 1994, Lawson began his career with Maple Communications writing for “Fleet Equipment Magazine.” Lawson’s passion for writing, the trucking industry and new technologies inspired a new magazine, “Transport Technology Today.” Lawson was a national expert of transportation technology.
Lawson was preceded in death by his mother, Alma in 1965, and his first wife, Janet in 1970.
Survivors include his wife Gayle Everly of Edmonds; daughter Stefanie Marshall and her husband Luke Softich, grandson Marshall Wilson Softich; his father Lafe Marshall and wife Shirley, all of Missoula, Mont.; his brother Roger Marshall and wife Glenna of Seeley Lake, Mont. Additional survivors include stepbrothers Mark and Steve Jones, stepsister Tami Kallis, nephews and nieces Jason, Tyler, Renata and Angie Marshall and his extended family the Everlys.
Celebrations of Lawson’s life are scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday May 2 at Marina Beach Park in Edmonds and 5 p.m., Saturday, May 4 at the First Baptist Church, 308 West Pine, Missoula, Mont. The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association, the Edmonds Public Library or PAWS Animal Shelter in Lynnwood.
Lawson will be remembered for his quite strength and resolve. He had a warm and generous heart, strong intelligence and great compassion. His wonderful sense of humor could move your mood and uplift your spirit. Friends and family loved him and he will live on in our hearts. Be at peace Lawson.
