Henry Lawson

Randy Lawson Obituary October 2026

Henry Randolph (Randy) Lawson passed away at the age of 84 on September 29, 2026 at the Chadron Hospital and Health Services in Chadron, NE. He was born in Redlands, CA March 29, 1942 to Henry Arnold and Dorothy (Stalker) Lawson.

Randy grew up in Savoy, IL near Champaign. During those years he enjoyed hunting and fishing which cultivated his interest in biology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Eastern Illinois University in 1965. After teaching high school biology for 3 years in Pekin, IL he earned his master’s degree and doctorate from Purdue University at West Lafayette, IN. He started teaching at Chadron State College in 1974 and taught there for 34 years teaching general biology, human sexuality, ornithology, entomology, parasitology, zoology, invertebrate zoology and did many insect research projects during his career. As a scientist with a deep christian faith, he was comfortable sharing his thoughts on balancing the two. He was very active in church life at the Chadron United Methodist church. By singing in the choir he expressed his deep faith. Randy had varied interests including stained glass, photography and was a true Husker fan. He is survived by his wife Doralie, the following children and step-children: Teri (Rod) Lohmeier of Aiken, SC, Becki Lawson (Chris Gilet) of Ferndale, WA, Angie (Tim) Dillow of Effingham, IL, Nichole Lawson (Kevin Kucera) of Central City, NE, Jolyn Wijetunga (Susith) of South Burlington, VT, and Jodee Mosher of Cumberland, ME. He was so proud of his eight grandchildren - Jessica (Justin) Brown of Sidney, NE, Cody Lawson of Grand Island, NE, Austin (Alex) Kucera of Lincoln, NE, Hannah (Daniel) McGrath, of San Jose, CA, Liana Wijetunga of East Lansing, MI, Thad Dillow of Effingham, IL, Daniel Maher of Worcester, MA, Niara Wijetunga of Stoneybrook, NY and great-grandchildren - Joelle Brown of Sidney, NE, and Adalynn and Hayden Kucera of Lincoln, NE. Randy valued and cared for his family and made sure they all felt special and loved by sharing his time, thoughts and advice. He will be missed. Services are pending at Chamberlain Chapel.