Loving husband, father, and grandfather

Lawson Spicer died June 2 at the age of 70. The youngest of three, he was born July 11, 1952, in Tucson, Arizona to Rosamond and Edward H. Spicer. He graduated from Catalina High School in Tucson in 1971 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from the University of Arizona in 1975. He met his future wife, Marla Nemtzow, while attending the University of Arizona. They married in August 1976 and moved to Gainesville, Florida, where in 1978 he earned his master’s in animal science at the University of Florida.

The couple then returned to Tucson so he could start working on his Ph.D. In 1979 his oldest daughter, Alicia was born, followed in 1982 by his oldest son, Scott. He earned his Ph.D. in animal science in 1983.

The family moved to Claremont in 1984. He worked as a dairy nutritionist for O.H. Kruse Grain and Milling. In 1989 his son Eric was born and, followed in 1991 by his youngest son Ryan. He started his own dairy consulting business in 1997, from which he later retired.

He was very active in the dairy community, including being involved with The American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, from which he recently received a lifetime achievement award.

He was an active and involved father, participating as a referee and coach for all his children’s sports teams. He also shared his love of animals with his children by participating with them in 4H. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sports games and recitals.

“He was a kind, patient and gentle soul,” his family shared. “He loved Mexican food, especially blended margaritas and guacamole. He was always first in line for dessert and loved a good bowl of ice cream, double scoop! He loved ‘small world’ stories and always took a genuine interest in learning about others and their backgrounds.”

He will be remembered fondly by his wife of 47 years, Marla; daughter Alicia (Scott); sons Scott (Sabina), Eric (Vanessa), and Ryan (Dana); grandchildren Paige, Alex, Shaughnessy, Sunday, and Dominick; brother Barry; and sister Pendleton.

Services will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 15 at Temple Beth Israel, 3033 N. Towne Ave., Pomona, CA 91767.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to a University of Arizona animal sciences scholarship in his name at giving.arizona.edu, with “Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences General Scholarship Fund 20-11-2449” in the description line.