David Lawson died August 31, 2021. A celebration of David’s life was held Thursday, October 14, at 2:00 pm, at Island Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more detail see the Lawson Memorial Page.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be offered to the following:
- Interfaith Hospitality Network of Alpha House (family shelter)
- Cancer Support Center of Ann Arbor
- Ele’s Place (grief counseling for children)
- Still Mountain Meditation Center of Ann Arbor
The Still Mountain Buddhist Community continues to operate in his absence under the guidance of our Teacher Council and Board.
Obituary
James David Lawson, “David”, 73, loving father, husband, and a student of Buddhism, passed away peacefully at home in Ann Arbor, MI on August 31, 2021, 2 years after being diagnosed with cancer. David was born in Chattanooga, TN on January 16, 1948, to Ruby Irene Rowe Rossman and James Elder Lawson. He graduated from Creston High School in Grand Rapids in 1965. He went on to study at the University of Michigan and graduated in 1969. He later obtained a Master’s Degree from Wayne State in Industrial Hygiene. He worked for 30 years as Director of Health, Safety, and Environment at Freudenberg-N.O.K. David is survived by his wife, Linda Lawson (formerly Kornhauser), his children Aaron David Lawson (49, airline pilot) and Benjamin Kai Lawson (11), and his two grandchildren Joshua and Taya Lawson (14 and 6). David was predeceased by his parents; and his younger brother, Daniel Lawson. A memorial service will be held in October, date and location TBD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be offered to the Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House (family shelter) at alphahouse-ihn.org, the Cancer Support Center of Ann Arbor at cancersupportannarbor.org, Ele’s Place (grief counseling for children) at elesplace.org, or Still Mountain Meditation Center of Ann Arbor at stillmountainmeditation.org. David’s spiritual practice was very important to him. He began meditating in 1985 and began his practice of Buddhist meditation in 1994. He taught in this tradition from 1994-2021. Six years ago, he co-founded the Still Mountain Meditation Center of Ann Arbor and served as lead teacher of that organization until the time of his death. David enjoyed working out and running and did so until he got sick. In his earlier years he enjoyed acting and was involved in local theatre. He loved reading and writing and wrote a meditation manuscript that will be published posthumously. At home with his family, he was known for saying: “Isn’t life wonderful?”.
