The Honorable Harry Gordon Lawson, Sr., 75, of Appomattox, died Sunday, July 8, 2007 at his residence. He was the husband of the late Louise Burnett Lawson.
Born in Lynchburg, September 8, 1931, Harry was the fourth son of John Raymond and Rachel Ferguson Lawson. He graduated from Appomattox High School in 1950, then in 1951 he and his cousin, Samuel Ferguson joined the United States Navy, where for fours years he proudly served his country. In 1958, he received a BS degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and earned his law degree from the University's School of Law in 1961. After several years of private practice, he was named Commonwealth attorney for the County of Appomattox in 1964, and subsequently served 2 full terms in that office.
Community service was a natural way of life for Harry Gordon, therefore it was only natural for him to join his local Woodmen Lodge Camp 71, where he became extensively involved with Woodmen Activities. He stated many times over his lifetime that Woodmen stood for everything he believed in and for what made this country great, "Belief in God, belief in country, and belief in family." Throughout his Woodmen career Harry served at local, state, and national levels, including National Sentry, National Watchman, National Trustee and Chairman of the Trustees. In July 1971, he accepted the legal position of Associate General Counsel for the Woodmen of the World Home Office in Omaha, Nebraska and held that position for two years before returning to Appomattox and establishing a private practice.
In 1987, he was appointed judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court for the 10th Judicial Circuit, comprised of the counties of Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland and Prince Edward. After eight years of public service he retired on July 1, 1995.
Judge Lawson was active in the Appomattox Democratic Party, served as the party chairman, chairman of the 18th Senatorial Democratic Committee, Chairman of the 59th House of Delegates Democratic Committee, and had been a member of the Virginia Democratic State Central Committee. He was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and had served as a member and chairman of the Administrative Board. He was past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Jaycees, served on the board of directors of the Virginia YMCA and Fidelity National Bank, a member and one of the founders of Falling River Country Club and was a member of the Appomattox Lions Club.
He is survived by his two children and their spouses, Harry Gordon, Jr. and Gail Francis Lawson of Lynchburg and Deborah Louise and Thomas A. Gilliam of Appomattox; three grandchildren, Jason Matthew Gilliam, Morgan Brooke Lawson, and Amber Louise Gilliam; a brother, Fredrick H. (Fred) Lawson and his wife, Peggy; a special cousin and his wife, Samuel "Baby Sam" and Hilda Ferguson; sister-in-law, Patsy Lawson all of Appomattox and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, John R. (Jack) Lawson Jr. and Samuel R. (Bobby) Lawson.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at Memorial United Methodist Church by the Rev. Bruce Johnson with burial to follow in Liberty Cemetery.
The Family will receive friends at Robinson Funeral Home Tuesday, July 10, 2007 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM and other time at his residence.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 823, Lynchburg, VA 24505, the National Kidney Foundation of VA, Inc., 2601 Willard Rd. Suite 103, Richmond, VA 23294 or Memorial UMC, PO Box 9, Appomattox, VA 24522.