Obituary of Kenneth G. Lawton, Jr.

MOHAWK – Mr. Kenneth G. “Ken” Lawton, Jr., age 71, beloved husband, father and grandfather, departed from this world on Thursday morning, May 25, 2017, at the Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by the love of his family in his heart and by his side.

Born on March 22, 1946, Kenneth was the son of the late Kenneth G. Lawton, Sr. and Betty (Price) Lawton. He spent his childhood in Mohawk, graduating from Mohawk High School with the Class of 1964. Ken furthered his education at Mohawk Valley Community College and then at the SUNY Oswego, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education.

On June 27, 1970, at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Ilion, Ken was wed to the former Barbara Schrader, and the couple began a forty-seven-year journey through life. They sustained a marriage filled with love, laughter, trust and friendship. They worked as a team to raise their family and build a solid foundation for many generations. As a couple, they got through any hardships and experienced many joys of life, together. 

Ken exemplified the meaning of “all-American” through both his teaching career and his personal hobbies and interests. For over 35 years he taught Earth Science and Physical Science with the Richfield Springs Central School District, retiring in 2003. He was a commanding presence at RSCSD for many years. Ken not only demanded respect in school, but also was the teacher that students wanted to joke with and be around. His stellar personality was infectious.

In his off-time, he was extremely handy around the house and could always be relied upon to fix anything and to a perfectionist’s fault. He was an avid sports fan, cheering on the NY Giants, Syracuse Orange and NY Yankees. He volunteered many years coaching both football and wrestling for the RSCSD; as his children and grandchildren grew, he was a constant figure at all sporting events showing his pride throughout the many years of accomplishments. His voice from the sidelines and stands will forever be one many will remember. In his spare time, he enjoyed the game of golf and he loved to travel, especially to the West Coast, Florida and to St. John, Virgin Islands.

Most of all, Ken will be remembered for his kind nature, his sense of humor and his enjoyment of the simple things in life. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body and would do anything he could to help someone who was in need. As a father he was present, encouraging and engaged. A great father to all the kids that knew him so well. He could always be found getting the party started on the dance floor of any wedding or social event…. and “Footloose” will forever be his tune.

As Ken grew older, he loved and cherished any time that he could spend with his grandchildren. When tragedy struck the Lawton family with little Gracie’s passing in 2012, Ken took the opportunity to find something positive in all of the heartache, and was a founding member of the Amazing Gracie’s Gift Foundation, a cause that he was extremely proud of and dedicated to.

His memory will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind, including his wife, Barbara; his daughter and son-in-law, Kara and Greg Duch of Connecticut; his sons and daughters-in-law, Christian and Marlie Lawton of Tully and Geoffrey and Lisa Lawton of Mohawk; and his grandchildren, Lawton Duch, Cooper Duch, Wren Lawton, Cole Lawton, Luke Lawton and Ava Lawton. Always close to his heart was the memory of his beloved granddaughter, Gracie Margaret Lawton, and his family finds comfort in knowing that he saw her smiling face as he entered into Heaven.

He also leaves his sisters and brothers-in-law, Karen and Alan Damin of St. Johnsville, Kelly and John Traylor of Syracuse, and Kathryn Lawton and her companion, Gabe Fequiere, Jr. of Brooklyn; his brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Marie Lawton of Arlington, TX; his nieces and nephews, Kristopher Lawton, Jason Damin, Betty Damin, Adam and Jessica Damin, Peter and Amy Damin, David and Vanessa Kiddney, Sarah and Cole Mayfield, Jennifer Bines, Amanda and Nick Cioffi, and Nicole Traylor and her fiancé, Corey McCarthy; and his in-laws, Donna and Harry Kiddney of Dewitt. He will be missed by his many close friends from near and far.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend Ken’s calling hours on Tuesday evening, May 30, 2017 from 4:00PM – 8:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. His funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Wednesday morning, at 11:00AM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, with The Reverend Father Steven Scarcia, D. Min., Rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Little Falls, officiating. Private burial will take place in the family plot at Armory Hill Cemetery in Ilion.

The Lawton Family would like to acknowledge the entire staff of the Bassett Herkimer Cancer Center, especially Dr. Marci Canary, Michelle, Kris, and Arlene for their outstanding care and concern that was provided to Ken during his illness.

For those wishing to do so, in lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations in Ken’s name, to the Amazing Gracie’s Gift Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral.

The Lawton family is being cared for and guided by funeral directors, Harry and Kevin Enea, and Martin L. Ciaccia. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.