Gerald David Lawlor passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022 in KCMO surrounded by his family.
Gerald was born March 15, 1944 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to David Lawlor and Vivienne P Lawlor, nee Day, the oldest of five children. Gerald's father accepted a position at the Nazarene Publishing House and moved the family to Kansas City, MO in 1949. He attended Norman Elementary and Westport High Schools before enlisting in the U.S. Army in November of 1962.
Gerald completed basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He then moved on to Ft. Rucker AL. where he attended Aviation Maintenance Training School. During his three-year post at Schofield Army Barracks in HI., he met and married Terry Fay Taylor, March 27, 1966. Together they moved to Ft. Benning, GA. where he was deployed on his first tour to Vietnam. Upon his return to the states, Gerald and Terry went to Ft. Rucker AL. for three years. During that time Gerald was deployed for his second tour to Vietnam. This time when he came home, he was met by Terry and their three-month-old daughter, Stephanie Lynn Lawlor. Their next posting took them to Ft. Hood TX. There they welcomed a second daughter, Catherine Fay Lawlor. In summer of 1976 Gerald and his family were transferred to Heidelberg, Germany, where Gerald served with the 207th Aviation Company at Heidelberg Air Field. While there he filled numerous positions of leadership while continuing his army career in aviation maintenance, both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Gerald retired from the U.S. Army in 1982, after 20 years of service.
Upon their return to the states, they spent two years in Avondale, CO. where Gerald worked as a ranch hand, for his friend Gary Hamilton. The family settled in Olathe, KS in the fall of 1984. Gerald worked for The Broadway Collection as the manufacturing manager for many years. He also worked as a supervisor at Heatron in Lansing, KS. In his later years Gerald enjoyed fishing and camping with his family. He was an avid reader and skilled pianist, which very few people knew.
Gerald is survived by his wife of 56 years, Terry Fay Lawlor of the home. Daughter Stephanie Lynn Lawlor of Overland Park, KS. Daughter Catherine Fay Lawlor and her husband Patrick Horton-Ritter of Kansas City, KS. His Siblings Raymond J. Lawlor and sister-in-law Dixie, Ronald E. Lawlor and sister-in-law Sherry, Judith A. Lawlor and Margaret L. Lawlor. He will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
A visitation at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, in Olathe KS will be held Saturday, January 21st 2023 from 10am to 12pm. Military honors will be at 11am. In lieu of flowers please donate to the veteran's organization of your choice.
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