A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held to honor the memory of this servant of God on Sunday, December 21, 2 p.m. at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 10445 SW Canterbury Lane, Tigard; 503-639-3273. The loving husband, father, brother, son, and Pastor Gary M. Lawson went home to be with the Lord on December 17, 2003. Gary had received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer less than six weeks earlier. His quick departure from our midst has left shock and grief, but his unshakable faith in a loving God inspires hope that we will see Gary again and that he is now at peace. Gary M. Lawson was born on November 13, 1947, in Moline, IL. In 1959 Lawson's family was moved to Long Beach, Calif., where Gary enjoyed surfing and the music of his generation. At an early age, he shared a desire to find meaningful work that helped others, which eventually led Gary to answer the call to pastoral ministry. He graduated from Biola University in 1969, and while at Biola he met Karolyn Wynne Pullen. Gary and Karolyn were married on July 13, 1974, while Gary was studying at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. After graduating from Luther, he continued his studies at the Presbyterian Seminary in San Anselmo. Gary was ordained to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament in September 1980. Their son, Eric was born that year and their daughter, Ashley came along in 1983. Gary's pastoral ministry included serving two churches as an Associate Pastor. The First Presbyterian Church from 1980 to 1986, as a wonderful chapter in their congregational life. Gary and Karolyn moved to Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Portland in 1986. This ministry call as Pastor included work of staff at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Tigard. The eleven years Gary served this congregation saw the church nearly double to its current membership of over 1000. But more important than the numerical growth was the wonderful joy that Gary spread throughout the church family. His sermons were thoughtful, personal and practical. His teaching was extremely sought-after. His personal work with his church was greatly followed his humble, staff skilled leadership. Calvin Church will greatly miss their beloved pastor, but they will carry on the ministry in a way that would make Gary proud. Gary's family will miss him more than words can express. He was a loving and faithful husband, an outstanding father, a loyal son, and a rock-solid big brother. While we are thankful for the time we had, we rejoice that we are experiencing even now what no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind conceived. Gary truly knows now that God is good. Survived by his wife, Karolyn; his children, Eric and Ashley; his parents, Sidney and Edna Lawson; and brothers, Donald and Jeffrey Lawson, of California. His sister, Julie Waterman, lived in Japan. Remembrances can be made to the Gary Lawson Memorial Fund at Calvin Presbyterian Church, Tigard. Special Instructions: Remembrances can be made to the Gary Lawson Memorial Fund at Calvin Presbyterian Church, Tigard.