Philip Addison Lawton passed away December 29 at the age of 91. He was born to George and Betty Lawton in Hollister on June 23, 1928, and had three brothers George, Ed, and Bill. Phil lived his entire life in Gilroy, California, where he met the love of his life, Gerry Hailstone. Phil and Gerry married in 1951 and together raised three daughters. They owned and operated Lawton's Gem Shop, the jewelry store opened by his parents in 1925. They retired in 1990 and spent the following years traveling, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends. They had 54 wonderful years together.

Phil served in the US Army in Korea and at home as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Gilroy Downtown Association, Gilroy Elks, American Legion, and Sons in Retirement. He loved playing golf, traveling, and watching the 49ers. He enjoyed attending the monthly Gilroy High Reunion Breakfasts with old classmates and was thrilled to be part of the Historical Society's video interviews of old time Gilroyans, who shared their experiences growing up in Gilroy.

Phil loved a creative challenge, whether it was designing a beautiful piece of jewelry, making an interesting piece of furniture, or just figuring out how to fix something that was broken. He was smart and hardworking, tenacious and talented, funny and just an all-around good guy, who was adamant about "doing the right thing."

He is survived by his three daughters, Karen Barrett of Hollister, Cindy Ostrander of Redding, and Wendy Andrews of Gilroy, his son-in-law Phillip Barrett, his three grandsons, Duffy Barrett of Santa Cruz, Jacob Ostrander of Redding, and Cory Andrews of Gilroy, his brother Bill Lawton of Scottsdale, AZ, his sisters-in-law Deborah Lawton and Lenore Hailstone, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends, who will miss him dearly.

Graveside Services will be Saturday February 8, 2020 – 11:00 AM at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, Gilroy.