Clifford Robert Lawton, Sr.

Mr. Clifford Robert Lawton, Sr. age 95 of Cana, Virginia, passed away on Sunday morning, June 8, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Lawton was born on February 8, 1930, in Cortland County, New York, to the late Sanford and Marie Howell Lawton. Clifford was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. Mr. Lawton proudly served his country in the United States Marines, 1st Marine Division and a veteran of the Korean War. He proudly served with the Essex County Sheriff Department, and he was a member of the Blue Knights. Clifford was a faithful member of Rocky Ford Christian Church. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Surviving is his wife of 22 years, Mary Jeanne Vanden Lawton; daughters and son-in-law, Patricia Marie Flood and David, Deborah A. Gardner; stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Susan Holleran and Thomas; son and partner, Clifford Robert Lawton, Jr. and Jamie; stepson and stepdaughter-in-law, Brett Zimmerman and Laurie; two grandchildren; five step grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Burt Lewis and Shirley; his dog, Precious and his cat, Princess; along with several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lawton was preceded in death by a son John Joseph Lawton; son-in-law, David Gardner; a grandson, Thomas Clifford Gardner; a sister, Linda Lawton Kirkey; and a brother, Sanford Lawton. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Rocky Ford Christian Church in Cana, Virginia. Full military honors will be conducted by the VFW Honor Guard Post 2019 Mount Airy and Post 9436 Pilot Mountain. Inurnment will be held at a later date in St. Mary of the Annunciation Rectory Cemetery in Danvers, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 327, Dobson, North Carolina 27017. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy has been entrusted with the arrangements.