SMSgt Mark Jeremy Lawton

Senior Master Sergeant Mark J. Lawton, 49, of East Berlin, Pennsylvania passed away Thursday, October 24, 2024.

He was born September 21, 1975, in Blytheville, Arkansas to the late Ronald Lawton and Theresa (Nimmo) Lawton.

Mark enlisted into the United States Air Force in 1992, and in 1997 continued his faithful service with the Air National Guard throughout the rest of his life. He achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, although his favorite rank was First Sergeant because he was put into a position where his primary duty was to assist others. With multiple deployments to South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Germany, and Qatar, he enjoyed every minute of his time in service. His military service awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, two Air and Space Commendation Medals, two Air and Space Achievement Medals, two Air Force Good Conduct Medals, nine Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medals, and two Afghanistan Campaign Medals. His state awards include the Pennsylvania Major General Thomas R. White Jr. Medal, and the Pennsylvania Thomas J. Stewart Medal.

Mark attended Celebration Community Church in Dillsburg Pennsylvania.  He was baptized on February 4th, 2024. 

Mark strived to be the best husband and father that he could be. He coached Alyssa and Rian in softball, assisted Riley in lacrosse, and coached Alexander in Special Olympics. When he wasn’t getting tattooed, recruiting the kids’ friends to join the Air Force, or cooking large breakfasts for the family, he would sit on the front porch of the house with the dogs and chit chat with anyone who walked past. He loved building and starting any project on the house, making the kids hold the flashlight for car repairs, and trying to fix electrical problems without getting zapped. On top of all of this, he was very physically active and completed four Tough Mudder races.

He is survived by his wife, Amy (Giordano) Lawton; his children, Alyssa Jewell Locksmith and her husband John Locksmith of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Riley Isabella Hain and her husband Cameron Hain of Crofton, Maryland, Alexander Scott Lawton of East Berlin, and Rian Nicole Lawton of East Berlin; his siblings, Michelle Hendrix of St. Augustine, FL and Michael Lawton of Jacksonville, FL.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 3:00 pm at his church, Celebration Community Church, 1048 South Mountain Road, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. A visitation with family will be held Sunday from 2-3 pm prior to the service. Burial, with full military honors, will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 11:30 am at the Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. If you plan on attending the graveside service at the cemetery, please arrive at 11:15 am and meet the funeral procession behind the administration building. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the NACD Foundation, 5492 E 500 E, Washington, UT 84405.

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