RIP Ralph G. "Pauly" Lawson

Ralph G.

Ralph G. "Pauly" Lawson
March 20, 1927 - April 9, 2016

Pauly Lawson, "A true American Cowboy", passed away peacefully at HopeWest Care Center on Saturday April 9, 2016, at the young age of 89.

Pauly was born to Roy and Lilly Lawson, pioneers of Glade Park, Colorado. His family were ranchers and as a young boy from a ranching family, he attended all the schools on Glade Park.

Ranching was Pauly's life, but he also worked for the Mesa County Road Department. He retired after 25 years of service as a heavy equipment operator.

Pauly was a Gold Card Member of the Mesa County Sheriff Posse. Anyone who knew him knew his love of horses and rodeo. He loved Team Roping and Cow Penning. Pauly received an award in 1982 from the National Park Service and Mesa County Sheriff Posse, for his "Expertise in tracking in Search and Rescue Operations". He won many trophies, buckles and ribbons from the Mesa County Sheriff Posse Gymkhanas'. He was a 39 year member of the Moose Lodge. Pauly had the great gift of recognizing a horses' potential and trained his own horses.

He married Josephine (Carns) Lawson on January 14, 1951. They had three little buckaroos, Carrol Lawson Reigles (Dick) of Grand Junction; Dee Lawson (Glenda) of Grand Junction, and Ted Lawson (Sally) of Montrose, CO. Pauly and Josephine celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on January 14, 2016.

Pauly was preceded in death by their son Dee Lawson, his mother, father and two brothers, Frank and Dave. He leaves behind his wife Josephine, two children, six grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Services will be held for Pauly at Martin Mortuary, 550 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO, Sunday. April 17, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.

Donations can be made in Pauly's name to The American Heart Assoc. , or to HopeWest Hospice.

Published in The Daily Sentinel on Apr. 15, 2016