Lawson W. Magruder, Jr.

Col. Lawson William Magruder, Jr Ret Long time Wacoan and highly decorated career soldier, Lawson W. Magruder, Jr., passed away peacefully on February 1, 2003 at St Catherine’s in Waco. Lawson was born on October 6, 1917 in Clarksdale, MS, the son of Minnie Crawford and Lawson W. Magruder. Before graduating from Waco High School in 1934, Lawson lettered in football and baseball. He graduated from the University of Texas with Business 1942 and Education degrees 1978. Lawson enlisted in the US Army at the outbreak of WWII and served honorably for over 31 years. His combat service spanned ten campaigns during WW II where he landed with his beloved 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Division at Utah Beach on D Day, as well as Korea and Vietnam. Awards included the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor 4, Purple Heart 3 and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge 2. He was loved and devotedly supported by his spouse of 45 years, Mary Anne Windrow of Dallas, who preceded him in death. Three daughters Anne W. Magruder, Waco, Sallie M. Wood Charles, San Rafael, Ca., Mary Lynne Collins, Huntsville, and son Lt Gen Lawson W. Magruder, III Ret Gloria, ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and his wife of 16 years and childhood friend, Virginia “Jinx” Harriss Magruder survive Lawson. After his military retirement, Lawson provided service to community and church. He was particularly proud of serving as a math tutor at Lake Waco Elementary School, working as a master fund-raiser for the first Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Travis County Austin, and as a lay reader and leader at St. Theresa’s parish, Austin, and St. Louis’ parish, Waco. Lawson’s remarkable life will be celebrated with a Memorial Mass by Monsignor Mark Deering, celebrant, followed by a reception at St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco, at 1:00pm on Thursday, February 6, 2003. Military honors ceremony will be graveside at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, at 1:00pm on Friday, February 7. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the WWII Memorial, PO Box 96766, Washington DC, 30090-6766. Please state: “In honor of Col Ret Lawson W. Magruder, Jr.” His family extends gratitude to the Veteran’s Administration, the staffs of St Catherine’s and Hillcrest Community Hospice and Dr. David Gogulski, for their compassionate care of Lawson.