John Haswell Lawson, 84, of Silver City passed away June 14, 2023 at his home.

John was born in Glasgow, Montana on August 21, 1938 to Chester and Doris Lawson. As an infant, he traveled to China with his parents, medical missionaries. In 1942 John was incarcerated with his parents in Japanese POW camps in Canton, China for over two years. He was exchanged, with his parents, in 1945 in an exchange between Japan and the USA of diplomatic prisoners of war.

John returned to Havre, Montana with his parents, where he grew up. After receiving his BA from the University of Montana in 1961 he was accepted into the second wave of Peace Corps volunteers under John F Kennedy. He was transfers to Ethiopia in 1962 for two years. His first child, Douglas, was born there.

John received his Doctorate in Middle Eastern History in 1966 but was diverted by happenstance into the world of the developing the artificial heart. John was instrumental in the development of this device. He spent the next few decades training cardiothoracic surgical teams on the implant of these devices. In 2004 John retired and moved to Silver City, NM where he became involved in the development of WILL.

John follows his parents Doris and Chester and is survived by his three sons, Douglas, Malcolm and Duncan and their mother, Susan. Also, his sister Jane and her children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife and life partner, Judy, her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. As well, he is survived by many friends around the world.

John was a gentle soul who loved music, poetry, animals and food (not necessarily in that order). He will be remembered by friends around the world, and his memory will always be cherished by those who love him deeply.

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