James Lawton

James Lawton age 74 of Belle Fourche, died Monday August 9, 2010 surrounded by his loving wife and family, at his home in Belle Fourche. The funeral service will be held 10:30am Friday August 13, 2010 at St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Herb Cleveland officiating.  Visitation will be 5 to 7pm Thursday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche.  Inurnment will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard. Memorials are preferred to St. James Lutheran Church, and the Leukemia Research Foundation.  Friends are also encouraged to donate blood in memory of Jim. James Lawton was born April 19, 1936 in Lead, South Dakota.  He was the son of John and Agnes (Wennberg) Lawton.  Jim grew up in Lead, where he graduated from high school in 1954.  Jim received his BA Degree in Education from Black Hills State University in Spearfish.  From 1956 to 1961 he served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp and during part of this time he was stationed at Camp Pendleton.  Jim was united in marriage to Eleanor Stonefelt on July 23, 1961 in Lead, SD.  To this union, two children were born: Timothy and Kristan.  Following their marriage Jim and Ellie lived in El Cajon, CA where Jim taught history for 3 years.  In 1964 they moved to Greeley Colorado where Jim received his MA in Counseling at the University of Northern Colorado.  In 1965 Jim and Ellie returned to El Cajon where Jim worked as a Junior High Counselor and Elementary School Principal.  Jim also was an instructor for Hunters Safety classes, and he also taught a night school class at the naval base.  In 1991, Jim retired and in 1994 Jim and Ellie moved to Lead.  The following year they settled in Belle Fourche where they have lived since. Jim served on the Belle Fourche School Board for 2 to 3 years, until he became the Energy Education Manager for the school district.  He was a former member of the Belle Fourche Lions Club.  Jim was an avid golfer and he enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He was an excellent singer and loved music.  In 2005, Jim began his fight against cancer.  Each year that went by, Jim faced leukemia and other health issues.  Throughout it all he never gave up and he will be remembered well for the fight and determination he had.  He and his family were always so thankful for the many prayers that helped him in his life battle. James is survived by his wife, Ellie of Belle Fourche; Son, Timothy (Tracy) Lawton of El Cajon CA; daughter, Kristan Bieber of Odebolt Iowa; 4 grandchildren, James Bieber, Swayzie, Tatum, and Brinkley Lawton. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Ann Davis.         DATE OF BIRTH April 19, 1936 – Lead, South Dakota           DATE OF DEATH August 9, 2010 – Belle Fourche, South Dakota                MEMORIAL SERVICE 10:30 A.M. – Friday – August 13th, 2010 Saint James Lutheran Church       Belle Fourche, South Dakota         OFFICIANT Rev. Herb Cleveland        MUSIC Pianist – Karen Lindbloom    Organist – Paula Speidel Soloist – Rodd Bauck “There Is a Time”, “His Eye is on the Sparrow” Cong. Hymn – “Jesus Loves Me” Cong. Hymn – “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”        HONORARY CASKETBEARERS Brad Davis                                                               Eddie Litz Brian Davis                                                           Gary Prim Bruce Davis                                                David Stonefelt           INTERMENT Black Hills National Cemetery Sturgis, South Dakota Military Honors By Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard