Roger Dean Lawson Sr., 87, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away Jan. 5, 2017, at the Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne.

Roger was born on June 21, 1929, in Denver to Paul and Minnie (Detwiller) Lawson. He grew up in Denver and later Nebraska, living in Hershey and Bartlett, where he attended school. By the time he was 16 years old, Roger was hired by Union Pacific Railroad.

In 1951, Roger entered the U.S. Army and honorably served during the Korean War. Following his discharge in 1953, Roger returned to Nebraska and went back to work with the railroad in North Platte. He had started as a billing clerk and retired as an engineer after working 44 years.

On July 16, 1967, Roger was united in marriage to Irene James. They lived in North Platte for a short time before moving to Gering. In 1984, they moved to Cheyenne, where they lived for the next 33 years.

Roger had many interests which included camping, traveling and woodworking; he especially loved making things out of wood. Roger will be remembered as a prankster who loved to tell jokes and as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Minnie; sons, Gary and Jerry James; son-in-law, Al Kosmicki; infant grandsons, Jeremy McCain and Eric James; and brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Nicki Lawson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Irene of North Platte; children, Sharron (Glen Belknap) Thompson of Alliance, Roger (Marlene) Lawson Jr. of Cheyenne, Connie Breach of North Platte, Bill (Diane) James of Marietta, Georgia and Judy Kosmicki of Grand Island; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors. Cremation was chosen. The memorial book may be signed at the graveside. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of local arrangements.