Peter Paul "Pete" Lawson Sr., 88, of Shenandoah, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Saint Nicholas, Mahanoy City, July 12, 1929, he was a son of the late Benjamin and Rose (Yorski) Lawson.

Pete was educated in the former Mahanoy Township schools and after serving his country in theArmy attended Penn State College where he received certification in appliance repair.

He was a proud and decorated Army veteran ofWorld War II, having served in the Pacific and European Theatres and then in theKorean War with the 18th Elite Engineers Combat Unit as a demolition specialist.

On Jan. 12, 1952, in the former First Baptist Church, Shenandoah, he married the former Elizabeth J. "Betty" Dower, who survives.

Pete worked in the local anthracite coal industry at Carey Baxter and Kennedy and Pagnotti Coal Co. as a driller. He then opened his own local business as an appliance repairman as the co-owner along with his wife, Betty, of P&B Appliance Co., Shenandoah.

Pete was an avid outdoorsman; he loved hunting and fishing, and passed that love of the outdoors on to his children and grandchildren. He and his wife, Betty, also loved to travel. He was very active in the Shenandoah community throughout his life. He was a life member of the Columbia Hose Company No. 1, Shenandoah, and theDAV. He was a member of the Anthony P. Damato Medal of Honor Post 792, Shenandoah, for more than 50 years, the Shenandoah Fish and Game Association, the Park Crest Fish and Game Club, and the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens. He was also a member and trustee of the former First Baptist Church, Shenandoah. Pete was a past member of the Shenandoah Civil Service Committee, a past chairman of the Shenandoah Zoning Board, past president of the Schuylkill County Foster Parents Association and past president of the Shenandoah Valley Band Parents Association.

Pete's family was his pride and joy.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Michael, Benjamin, Robert, Charles and Edward Lawson, and two sisters, Rose Marie and Anna.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of almost 66 years, Elizabeth J. "Betty" Lawson, Shenandoah, are two sons, Peter Paul Lawson Jr. and his wife, Deborah, Frackville, and Joseph B. Lawson and his wife, Susie, Zion Grove; a daughter, Paula Jo (Lawson) Hornberger and her husband, Lance, Ringtown; six grandchildren, Laura (Lawson) Young and her husband, C.J., Frackville, Rachael (Lawson) Yeager and husband, Joshua, Marion Heights, Joseph Benjamin "Ben" Lawson, Shenandoah, and Austin Hornberger, Mitchell Hornberger and Joyanne Hornberger, all of Ringtown; five great-grandchildren, Asher Lawson, Paisley Lawson, Harper Yeager, Liam Yeager and Lilly Young; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services and interment with military honors in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, will be private at the convenience of the family. Rev. Jay Serafin will officiate.

Expressions of sympathy can be mailed to either the Brandonville Union Sunday School or St. John's Lutheran Church Brandonville Memorial Fund both to P.O. Box 261, Ringtown, PA 17967.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.