Edward Lawton

Edward John Lawton, 87, of Salida died March 17, 2019, at his home.

He was born Aug. 16, 1931, in North Adams, Massachusetts, to Edward John Lawton and Evelyn Dehey Lawton.

He received degrees from North Adams State College and Fairfield University and a doctorate of education from the University of Virginia.

As a three-sport athlete, he played football, basketball and baseball. His baseball talents were rewarded with a pro contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

However, that dream was interrupted by enlistment in the U.S. Army and service in the Korean War. He remained an avid lifelong sports fan.

Dr. Lawton pursued a career in education and taught at the University of New Hampshire and the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

He retired as a distinguished professor from the School of Education at the College of Charleston in 1998.

He and his wife, Marilyn, made their home in Salida in 2010 to be closer to family, and they enjoyed the small friendly town.

Dr. Lawton was preceded in death by his son Richard Warren Lawton in 1998.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years; son Mark Edward Lawton (Lucinda Katz Lawton) of Howard; daughter, Nancy Lawton Eddy (Tom Pokorny) of Salida; granddaughter, Melanie Katz-Lawton of Denver; and brother, Richard Austin (Marguerite) Lawton of New London, New Hampshire.

A burial of his ashes will take place in the family plot in Gardener, Massachusetts.

Arrangements were with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home in Salida.

Online condolences may be offered at lewisandglenn.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward Lawton, please visit our floral store.