A union carpenter, Lon understood the need for a labor organization to address the conditions of workers excluded from the dubious protection of federal labor law. In the fall of 1975, he decided to start a membership association in Jackson County encompassing those working in the timber, agricultural and service industries, such as seasonal treeplanters and wildland firefighters.

On February 1, 1976, Lon, Charlotte Christensen and three other volunteers formally established Northwest Seasonal Workers Association (NSWA). Lon became the President of the Organizing Committee at the age of 24. Within three months, he had assumed the role of NSWA Operations Manager, building NSWA’s membership organizing drive house-to-house and to labor camps in the outlying rural areas. At the same time, NSWA established a free-of-charge benefit program through which members could aid fellow members with daily survival, beginning with emergency food and clothing. Within weeks Lon also led the founding of Jackson County Workers Benefit Council, JCWBC ― a leadership body of delegates representing various sectors of NSWA’s membership.

Lon worked hard all his life, always embracing the challenge and the hard work of his assignments and his vision ― pushing himself and others to fight for the advancement of the local, national and international efforts. He fought to end poverty through his lifelong efforts and to elevate other members of the working class through organization.