Gordon Wayne Lawler

Gordon Wayne Lawler passed away on August 4, 2021 from results of a spinal cord injury, 4 years ago. He was born on June 9, 1940 in Anderson and was a Madison County resident most of his life. He graduated from Highland High School in 1958 and Purdue University in 1965. He was a Purdue honor roll student in the School of Veterinary Science and was a veterinarian for nearly 50 years and built and operated the Devonshire Veterinary Clinic on Scatterfield Road in Anderson. Many of his clients became lifelong friends. He practiced in Greensburg, Indiana at the Greensburg Veterinary Clinic for 3 wonderful years before returning to Anderson. He was a member of the Central Indiana Veterinary Medical Association for 57 years, a member of the Omicron Chapter of Phi Zeta, a veterinary honor society that promotes research to the welfare of animals. He served on the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners appointed by Gov. Bowen for four years. In 1982, Gov. Orr appointed him to serve a four year term as a member of the Controlled Substance Advisory Committee. From this work, Gov. Orr appointed him Sagamore of the Wabash. He was a loving dad to Dr. Jerrilee Cave, Christa Toby, and Dr. Juliana Gaeta. He was preceded in death by parents, Hector and Gyneath Lawler, his sister, Gykala Jones, brother-in-law, Tom Slinkard, and nephew, Kevin Simpson. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Pamela; daughters, Dr. Jerrilee Cave of Markleville, IN, Christa Toby of Norfolk, VA, and Dr. Juliana (José) Gaeta of Lafayette, IN; grandchildren, Clayton (Heidi) Cave of Markleville, Ashlynn Jent, Markleville, Maya Gaeta, Lafayette, and Exiquio Gaeta, Lafayette; nephew, Christopher (Ruby) Simpson; and great-grandchild, Rhett Wayne Cave. Gordon had wonderful veterinary friends, Dr. John Overleese, Dr. Roy Coolman, Dr. Dave Thoma, Dr. Bill Haines, Dr. Bill Disque, Dr. Leon Thacker, Dr. Neil Perrel, Dr. Kent Daugherty, and many who visited each month. For 19 years, Gordon was Treasurer of the National Walking Horse Association founded in 1998 for promoting the sound horse. It has now become one of the most trusted and reputable organizations providing horse shows for walking, spotted saddle, and racking horses. At Purdue, he was also in the Acacia Fraternity and following his graduation, he missed very few Purdue basketball games. All three daughters graduated from Purdue. They all love and miss him already. The family would like to thank Rebecca Wices and Dr. Mark Lawlor for such good care on his journey. The visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., Monday, August 9, 2021 at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory, 515 E. 53rd St., Anderson, IN 46013. The funeral ceremony will be at 12 p.m., Monday, August 9, 2021 at the funeral home. Burial will happen in East Maplewood Cemetery. Pastor John Hackney will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to NeuroHope, 6002 Sunnyside Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46236, https://donate.chip-in.us/?nonprofitId=105424.