Lawson Chester Giddings, III formerly of McAlester, OK died Friday, July 8, 2011 in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 32. Lawson Chester Giddings, III was welcomed into this world on January 26, 1979 to Melody Jean & Lawson Chester Giddings, Jr. in McAlester, OK. "Jr." as we called him was a loving son, brother, father, nephew, cousin-most of all a friend to all. He knew no strangers- however, if you were a stranger, after you talked to "L" you were a friend for life. Lawson accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church. He attended Emerson Elementary School. While there he served as a cross guard, was a member of the Boys Scouts of America, and McAlester Boys Club. His passion for sports began at the McAlester Boys Club. He attended Puterbaugh Middle School, where he was a member of the honor band. Lawson was a 1998 Graduate of McAlester High School. He was a member of the 1996 and 1997 Class 5A State Runner-up Football Team, and a member of the 1998 Class 5A State semi-finals Basketball Team. While in high school he also participated in track, A.S.U., and attended Good Morning World every Friday Morning at First Baptist Church. He was a Graduate of NEO, and attended NSU for 2 years and recently decided to further his education majoring in criminal justice. Anyone who encountered "Jr." or "L's" presence was touched forever. His quiet sense of humor, gentle smile, laughter and sports talk are the qualities everyone knew him by. Lawson was an avid sports fan. He could throw a ball before he could walk. He loved sports; ESPN was a favorite channel in every room, as well as listening to the 'Sports Animal.' He loved playing XBox 360 with his family and friends. Lawson was one of the most gifted athletes to grace the field of Hook Eales Stadium. He will be remembered for his electrifying speed and circus catches in the clutch. He ran the 100 yard dash in a time of 10.81. Lawson received numerous honors and awards while playing the sport he loved the most. Lawson was Ranked #1 Receiver in Oklahoma, #8 Receiver in the Nation (National Recruiting Advisor), #10 Receiver in Nation (Prep Magazine), #1 Receiver in Midlands, Miami, Florida Offensive MVP at Butch Davis Camp 1997 and #2 Recuit in the State of Oklahoma. Lawson received offers from Florida, Kansas, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Miami and Texas. Area MVP, District 6 MVP, All-State Honorable Mention as a Junior, Basketball Area Player of the Year, Signed National Letter of Intent for Oklahoma State University, Football & Basketball All-Star Player, Voted the best receiver ever by the Daily Oklahoman for Class 5A, Voted Best Receiver in McAlester History, McDonald's All-Star Basketball Team, 1998 All-State, Member of the National Jr. College Championship Team (N.E.O.C.), Top 8th Receiver in the Country. He was recognized in U.S.A. Today. Also, 2006 Brenham Qualifier. He received the 1998 Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award. Lawson had worked various jobs. Lawson departed our lives much too soon and will be dearly missed. He leaves to cherish his children: daughter, Jewel Lynn Giddings, son Caleb Herring, parents Melody & Lawson Giddings, brothers: Jason and Christopher Giddings and Shawn Clark, grandmother: Josephine Giddings, aunts: Kimberly Giddings,Dallas, TX., Stephaine Giddings-Walker, Doris Warren, JoLynn Martin, all of McAlester, great aunts: Florine Collins, Allene Williams, McAlester, OK. Virginia Williams, OKC,OK., uncles: Larry Anderson, Tulsa, OK, Cornelius (Christine) Anderson , Lawton, OK., Brian Giddings, San Francisco, CA, Jerry Anderson, Atlanta, GA, Luther Anderson , Kansas, City, KS, Jerry Anderson, Atlanta, GA, Eric Anderson, Victor Anderson, both of McAlester, OK., great Uncle: William J. Giddings, OKC, OK. , Alex (Mary) Morrison, McAlester, OK, Elder George Morrison, Dallas, TX, great aunts Mollie Boyd, OKC, OK. and Inez Giddings-Factory, Tacoma, WA. Many, many cousins, host of other relatives & friends. He was preceeded in death by his Maternal grandmother, Neoma Jean Anderson, uncle Vernon Keith, great aunts Bernice Frazier, Etta Lee Smith, great-uncle Samuel Boyd, great-grandfather M.C. Anderson, great-aunt Glenda Anderson. Paternal grandfather, Chester Giddings, Sr., great-grandmothers Agatha Giddings & Georiga Williams great-grand father Lapinion Giddings & George Paschall, and great-uncle Wilburt Giddings, Sr. , cousin Cornelius Smith, great-great uncles Thomas P. Giddings & Sullivan Giddings, Jr. The Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Life Church, McAlester, Oklahoma with Rev. M.E. Griffin and Rev. James Crowson officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery, McAlester, OK.