Lawson Peters was born Jan. 28, 1938 to the late Mattie Reader Peters and Robert Peters Sr. in Florence, Ala. He moved to Portland in 1942, where he resided until his death.
Lawson attended Holladay Elementary School and Washington High School. He enjoyed playing sports, especially basketball.
Lawson enlisted into the U. S. Air Force in 1956 and served in the military until Jan. 6, 1960.
Lawson was previously married to Elsie Jackson and later married Sharon Renee Peters.
Lawson was the first Black machinist at Hyster where he worked for many years. He was later employed by Boeing and worked both in Seattle, Wa. and Portland.
Lawson was loved and respected by many. He in turn, loved everyone.
Lawson was preceded in death by his mother Mattie Reader Peters, father Robert Peters Sr., step-father Earnest Gordon, step-mother Rosie Lee Peters, brother Robert Peters Jr., sisters Virginia McDonald and Martha Ollison, son Allan Ray Gipson, nephew Roy A. Johnson, nieces Gloria D. Johnson, Phyllis R. White and Rhonda G. Ollison, brothers-in-law Robert B. Ollison, Robert "Joe" Bill McDonald and Vander Willis.
Lawson is survived by his wife Sharon Renee Peters; sons Alvin Taylor, Danyale Dewitt Gill, Darrell Labon Mitchell, Lauren Abbott Sr. and Malcolm Jamal Peters of Portland; Lawson "June Bug" Peters Jr. of Atlanta, Ga.; DeNorval Delon Gill of Salem, Ore.; Damon John Lindsey of Houston; daughters Natasha Fayetta Trineece Gill and Ta'Nia ChaneI Peters of Portland and Pricscilla "Tesha" Goodbear of Quantico, Va.; sisters Margaret Willis and Linda Peters of Portland; and brother Lee Anthony Peters of Portland.