Jerry Lawson

A week after Jerry Lawson died on September 30, 2025, Tropical Storm Jerry had formed over the central Atlantic Ocean and was strengthening into a hurricane.

Jerry – the man – would not have let that go unnoticed or unremarked.

At the family dinner table, enjoying a delicious meal, he would have made a joke about the size of Jerry, the storm.

After the groans and the “for God’s sake Jerry” from whatever family members happened to be there -- grandchildren, children, sisters in law - he would have laughed, put his hands up in mock surrender and said, “ok, ok!”

His was a wonderfully complex character that gave depth and interest to his life and ours. He worked hard. He read widely. He laughed often. He knew much. He was a storyteller who needed an audience and who also liked to be alone.

Jerry Lawson loved to fish. His annual fishing trips with his friends were highlights of each year and monuments of planning, logistics, grocery shopping, and cooking. Those of us who did not go never wanted to know all the details of what went on during those weeks in cabins and houseboats on lakes and rivers in the Northwoods.

Jerry was a man of many gifts – of intellect, humor, love for his family, devotion to friends. He was a writer, a political advisor, a furniture maker, a builder, an antiques dealer, a veteran, a recovering child gardener who overcame being made to do chores on his family’s hobby farm to become a superb keeper of a beautiful yard and garden.

There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter

And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after,

Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance

And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white

Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,

A width, a shining peace, under the night.

--Rupert Brooke

Gerald Gene Lawson was born in La Crosse Wisconsin on November 25, 1947, the second child and second son of Allen and Betty (Levenhagen) Lawson. Allen worked at Allis-Chalmers in La Crosse and Jerry and his siblings – Allen, Susan, Julie, and Kathy -- grew up on a hobby farm in Holmen.

He graduated from Holmen High School in 1965 and briefly attended UW-Madison. After serving in the United States Air Force in Vietnam, he returned to Wisconsin, earning a BA from UW-Platteville. Jerry spent a number of years living and working in Mineral Point. He managed the Walker House and enjoyed Point’s history and the company of the artists, antique dealers, and craftspeople the town attracted.

Jerry’s career also included working as an advertising executive at Boelter and Lincoln in Madison, where he helped create memorable campaigns for Rocky Rococo, St. Mary’s, and Dean Health Care among others. The firm’s office in the Fess Hotel, and the Fess Bar, were other lively, creative places where Jerry thrived.

After founding and running his own advertising and marketing firm, Jerry returned to something else he loved: woodworking and carpentry. The last years of his working life were devoted to remodeling and construction projects at a business he created, alongside his son. His family took full advantage of his skills and he beautifully remodeled kitchens, created basement laundry rooms, lined closets with cedar, and carved toy chests for family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Betty and by his sister Julie.

When he went into the hospital for the final time, Jerry was asked what mattered most to him. His answer? “I would like to have something good to eat for dinner and to spend time with my wife.” Deborah Carter Lawson, to whom he was devoted for more than 37 years, survives him as do his children and step-children: Cora Harders, Drew Lawson, Abigail Carter, Benjamin Carter and Tyler Carter. Their spouses survive him as well: Knight Elsberry (Abigail Carter), Lindsay Homer (Benjamin Carter), and Nikki Lawson (Drew).

He is also survived by three of his siblings: Allen (Linda) Lawson, Susan (Ron) Hauser, and Kathy (Jerry) Vaardseth, many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, and his former wife, Barbara Redenius. His longtime friends, Joel and Nina Duncanson, Thom Lusardi, and Margie Micholson and Steve Cosgrove brought him much joy and were incredibly thoughtful and steadfast during his illness.

Jerry leaves behind much-loved grandchildren: Beatrix Carter, Bodhi Harders, James Elsberry, Sam Carter, Jack Carter, and Alexander Lawson.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 1-3 p.m. at Nakoma Golf Club, 4145 Golf Club Road, in Madison. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Options in Community Living, Inc., which provided thoughtful support to Jerry.