Patrick M. Lawler

Patrick M. Lawler, 73, of Gravois Mills, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, at his home. He was born April 13, 1948, in Eldora, Iowa, the first of nine boys born to Jerald and Gail (Kadolph) Lawler.

Pat grew up on a dairy farm near Eldora, Iowa. He graduated from Steamboat Rock High School and then attended the University of Northern Iowa, where he played football. Pat served for a short time in the United States Army. He owned the Hotel Bar and Grill in Eldora, Iowa, for several years.

On Dec. 31, 1978, he married Clara Pearl (Aswegan) Crandall and gained five children. He and Clara moved to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1981. There, Pat was an electrician and plumber for many years until his retirement. Being an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and floating the river, where he earned the nickname “River Rat Pat”. He always looked forward to taking his grandchildren, nieces and nephews fishing, and volunteering at the local children’s fishing tournament.

Pat was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Laurie and the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Versailles. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus where he especially enjoyed participating in the fish fries and playing Santa Claus at Christmas, with his big, white beard.

Pat was never at a loss for words. He loved people and enjoyed talking and telling stories.

He is survived by his children, Larry Crandall and wife Theresa of Panora, Iowa, Betty Gethman and husband John of Eldora, Iowa, Barbara Crandall of Camdenton, Mo., Bonnie Jones and husband Jim of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Brenda Thornton and significant other Rick Reed of Sunrise Beach, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; his mother, Gail Lawler of Eldora, Iowa; his brothers, Jim Lawler and wife Carol of Antelope, Calif., Joe Lawler and wife Ethel of Easley, S.C,. Ken Lawler and wife Angie of Altoona, Iowa, Myron Lawler and wife Gloria of Coulter, Iowa, Matt Lawler and wife Jean of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Mark Lawler of Mt. Morris, Ill., and Dan Lawler and wife Bertie of Bettendorf, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Lawler, his father, Gerald Lawler, and a brother, Andy Lawler.

The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Gravois Mills, Mo., with a rosary prayed at 9:30 a.m. A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, at the church. Graveside services and inurnment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the St. Patrick Catholic Church. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.