Thomas C. Lawson, 95, died, January 30, 2014.

Tom was born and reared in the Prentis Park neighborhood of Portsmouth, Virginia, to parents Dwight M. Lawson and Kate Kirtley Lawson, who were originally from Gloucester and Goochland counties respectively. He attended a nearby grammar school, and until late in life could remember the names of all eighteen of his first grade classmates as well as the teacher. With an excellent memory for people, places and events, Tom was often a source of information for friends and family alike.

Tom was a proud graduate of Portsmouth's Woodrow Wilson High School and co-captained the 1937 football team. In early 1943, he graduated from the Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding and was soon recruited into the United States Merchant Marine as a ship's engineer, where he served for the remainder of World War II and retired in the early 1970's. He then moved to rural Isle of Wight County and was active in the county Ruritan Club for many years and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Suffolk. Tom enjoyed watching sports, gardening, fishing, playing Santa Claus during the Christmas holidays, visiting friends and singing popular songs from his younger days, usually in the mornings. A favorite song from his youth was The Wreck of the Old 97, which he remembered singing at his father's request, often getting a penny for his efforts.

In the mid-1980's Tom and his brothers Glen, John and George re-established the Gridiron club, a group of WWHS alumni who met twice a month to renew acquaintances and enjoy old times. The club still meets to this day.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of forty nine years, Alice Darden Lawson, brothers Mallory, Glen, John and George and sister Katherine Kane of Richmond. Two other brothers, Emmett and Richard, died in childhood.

Tom is survived by his son David (Constance), grandchildren Simone and Holly (Jorge), great grandchildren Kamilo and Ari, and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday February 4, 2014 in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake, VA. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennett's Creek Chapel, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435.