Lon Leo Laymon's Obituary
Born on November 10, 1918 to Ernest and Lena Laymon, Lon L. Laymon will be remembered for his multitude of accomplishments as a military, businessman and family man. As young man graduating UCLA in 1940, Lon L. Laymon joined the US Navy as a Gunnery Officer and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor aboard the USS NEVADA (BB-36), the day which will live in infamy. History knows that the USS NEVADA was the only battleship that got underway during the attack and beached itself at Hospital Point to avoid blocking the channel from other ships that may also get underway.....none did.
After repairs at Pearl Harbor and Puget Sound Navy Yard, Officer Laymon aboard the NEVADA sailed for Alaska to provide fire support during the Battle of Attu. After successfully operating with American forces in the Aleutian Islands in 1943, the USS NEVADA led the way into the invasion of Normandy. USS NEVADA went on to fight in the south of France at Toulon. Officer Laymon sailed back on the NEVADA to the Pacific for the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was awarded the USS NEVADA battle flag from the Commanding Officer.
Post war, Mr. Laymon left the Navy as Lieutenant Commander and returned to Colton, California where he took over the family candy business and began his own family with his wife, Winifred. Laymon Candy Company, founded in 1927 by Lon’s father, is renowned as a high quality chocolate and candy manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor and retailer. Lon grew the company exponentially with his sound business-mind and drive for success. Most well-known for its fudge, brittles, chocolate with candy centers, chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, and salt-water taffy, Laymon Candy Company just entered its 82nd year of operations, now in San Bernardino, with the third generation family continuing to expand the business and carry on the high quality of service that Lon always upheld.
Lon also served as a past president of the Colton Rotary Club, as a member of the Colton School Board and as a member of the Colton Planning Commission for several years.
Lon Laymon is an American Hero for his service to his country, his business acumen, and his family loyalty.
Mr. Laymon is survived by his loving wife, Winifred, 3 children, Kenneth, Denise and Linda Laymon Applen, 3 grandchildren, Lona Laymon Nolan, Heather Applen Hall, and Dillion Applen, and 2 great grandchildren, Jameson Hall and Hudson Hall.
On the wishes of the family a private service was held on Monday, 12/7/2009, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, at Montecito Cemetery.
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