Thomas Jay Lawson

The heavens were rejoicing as Thomas Jay Lawson, age 81, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Oak Hills Terrace Memory Care. Tom was born January 8, 1934 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Beulah and Russell Lawson, and raised by his dad and stepmother, Agnes (Aggie) Lawson. Tom was a wrestler and a manager for the football team at Sapulpa High School. After high school graduation, he attended The University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of the wrestling team. In 1953, while working for Tower Exploration in Gillette, Wyoming, Tom met the love of his life, Dixie Ann Evans. They married September 3, 1954, spent 59 years loving each other and raising their three devoted daughters, and making a lifetime of memories as they moved from state to state. They settled in Tyler, Texas in May of 1965. Tom worked for Ward Exploration, Price International, and retired from Brookshire’s after serving 11 years as their mailman. Tom’s number one passion in life was following his love for Jesus Christ. He strived to walk with Christ daily and to always follow God’s plan for his life. He loved to tell others about Jesus Christ. “Papa Lawson” had the privilege of baptizing several of his grandchildren. He had a great love and passion for Prison Ministry. Every Wednesday after work for twenty years, he would go with Ray Todd, Spencer Miller, and Dr. Allan Paul to Beto Two Unit in Palestine, Texas. They would teach Master Life and disciple prisoners. They always enjoyed stopping on the way home to get their weekly milk shake. Tom was an active member and served as a deacon at Green Acres Baptist Church. He had a heart for missionary work and made several trips to Latvia. Tom enjoyed playing 42, cribbage, skip-bo, softball, and golf. He would attend the TJC basketball games screaming “Holy Cow.” He loved watching the Dallas Cowboys and screaming “For Crying Out Loud.” He even had an official referee yellow flag that he would throw while screaming at the referee “You’re as blind as a bat.” Many friends and family members loved to come over just to watch Tom watch (and react to) the football games. Papa Lawson enjoyed going and cheering on his grandchildren in many different types of events. He loved homemade ice cream and Jucys Hamburgers. Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dixie; parents, Russell and Beulah Lawson; stepmother, Agnes Lawson; brother, John Lawson; sister and brother-In-law, Joan and Francis Ford. Tom is survived by his loving family, including his three daughters and their husbands; Beverly and James Smith of Mount Ida, Arkansas; Debbie and Jim Stanford of Colleyville, Texas; Velvet and Gregg Potter of Tyler Texas; and his six grandchildren; Lawson Smith, Allison Smith, John Thomas Stanford, Staci Stanford, Elizabeth Potter, and Kelsey Potter. He loved his Yorkie “John Wayne.” The family had a private graveside service at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler, Texas, officiated by his longtime friend and pastor, Dr. Paul W. Powell. There will be a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Green Acres Baptist Church Chapel, officiated by Pastors Dr. David O. Dykes, Dr. Paul W. Powell, and Dr. R. Craig Etheredge. Arrangements are with Stewart Family Funeral Home. Following the service, the family would like for you to join them for a reception in the Garden Room at Green Acres Baptist Church. The family is most grateful and appreciative to both staffs at Sundance/Oak Hills Terrace Memory Care and Heart to Heart Hospice for their exceptional care for their dad. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials or gifts be made to the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, 211 Winchester Drive, Tyler, 75701.

Thomas Jay Lawson

January 8, 1934 - March 21, 2015