Individual Details

Steve Lawson was born in Greenville, Texas on Jun 12, 1965, to Lowell and Carol Lawson, completing the family of four that would significantly impact countless lives to come. Even though he hated college and took 7 years to graduate from UNT while running a gymnastics gym, he still proceeded to become a lifetime student. After Steve planted Grace Community Church, he worked full-time while raising 3 daughters, completing an MBA, a master’s in theology from The King’s seminary, and a Doctorate in Leadership from Regent University, as well as becoming a certified Master trainer with Leadership Challenge, an Emotional Intellegence Teacher, and authoring two books, Giant Killers and A Marriage Worth Fighting For. His passion in the last decade was to travel with Global Advance to train pastors and business leaders in third-world countries.
Steve married Karen Stephenson on March 11, 1989, and, as they would tell people, enjoyed 25 gloriously joyful years with what they affectionately called 7 “years from hell” mixed in. Those years only led to the sweetest marriage that either could have ever dreamed of. Steve was known for how deeply he loved his wife, how beautiful he found her, mind, body, and soul, and how selflessly he served her. He told her he loved her at least twice a day and showed it constantly. He always said she still took his breath away when she walked in a room. Their commitment, the joy and love they found in one another, and the fun they had together is a testament and encouragement to everyone who knew them.
Steve is survived by his wife, Karen Sue Lawson of Greenville, Texas; brother, Andrew Lowell Lawson of Denton, Texas; father Lowell Lawson of Greenville, Texas; children Haley Cottey and husband CJ, Meg Layman and husband Aaron, and Madison Lawson; and grandchildren Adeline and Anya Cottey.
Steve is survived not only by those who carry his name but by hundreds to thousands of lives and souls that he encountered throughout his life. He is survived by the impact that he had on so many, from his wife and children to students and pastors he taught and counselled to doctors in foreign countries who witnessed a miracle in his life. He is survived by the lessons he imparted and the grace he shared. He’s survived by the lasting impact that his forgiveness, humility, and constant choice to love time and time again has had and countless people. Steve survives because his life was lived with purpose for the glory of God, and it touched countless hearts.
Being known and loved by Steve Lawson was unlike being known or loved by any other. He saw the core goodness of every soul and loved them tremendously. Though he was a brilliant man, excellent coach, profound scholar, and insightful pastor, the legacy he leaves is not only in the pages of a book or words of a sermon. It is in every moment he chose to listen rather than speak. It is in the glint in his eyes when he made a joke no one else had the courage or cunning to make. It is in the mended wounds he helped heal through kindness and acceptance. It is in the prayers he lifted up in the early hours of the morning while his family still slept peacefully. It is in the acts of humility when he forgave or tossed judgement aside to allow another to take up space. It is in the hours spent crying for the pain of another or celebrating for their joy. It is in the mischief carefully planted and cultivated in the hearts of his children and grandchildren. Steve’s legacy touches corners of the earth he will never visit physically, but still loved endlessly.
When his daughters were children, he had no trouble convincing them he knew everything. If they asked, he made up an answer with so much confidence, they never thought to question him. And as they aged, he answered honestly, saying “I don’t know, but we can figure it out.” And he would. Steve didn’t know everything, but not for lack of trying, and his real wisdom came in the humility to admit ignorance, admit wrongdoing, ask for forgiveness, and turn his eyes to the Lord. Not including jokes with his daughters, Steve never once claimed to know everything or to have all the answers. He was incredibly wise but more than that, he was never afraid to turn to God. His sincere, unwavering faith guided him through countless troubles. It was through that faith that so many were impacted by Steve’s ministry. Steve thrived in his beliefs. He believed in the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus. He believed in the power of prayer and strength of family. He believed in the healing nature of laughter and the joy of forgiveness. He believed in God’s power and goodness. He believed when there was no reason to believe and, in that faith, others believed, even as he was in a coma in Russia.
Steve was a fun, gracious, selfless, and loving husband, brother, son, father, and grandfather. He will be missed tremendously, and his loss will be felt by many, but he does not leave hearts that will never be healed. His family has the faith he exemplified that he will live on in the memory of others, the lessons he taught, and the love he spread. And we have the complete assurance that he is more alive today, filled with joy and free of pain, worshipping his Savior and excited for his family to live full, happy lives before welcoming us home when our days come.
The family wishes to thank all who have supported us, prayed for us, and served us through the years and in these last long days. We want to thank all the friends and family for the prayers, meals, late night conversations, and profound support.

Facebook: Steve Lawson
https://www.facebook.com/steve.lawson.796
Author, writer, speaker at stevelawson.us
Past: Progressive Sports and Fitness
Lives in Greenville, Texas
From Greenville, Texas
Family Members:
Emily Lawson, Niece
Jacob Stephenson, Nephew
CJ Cottey, Son-in-law

Birth	12 Jun 1965	Hunt County, Texas
Marriage	11 Mar 1989	Denton County, Texas - Living
Residence	15 Nov 2007	Greenville, Hunt County, Texas
Death	25 Apr 2021	Texas

Spouse	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living

Notes