David Lee Lawson

The sudden death, Saturday November 10, 2018, of David Lee Lawson, age 74, at his home in the Hawks Heights community of North Tazewell, VA was a shock to his family and friends. David was born May 25, 1944 in Richlands, VA and was a son of the late Leonard and Nora Vandyke Lawson. Dave was a 1963 Graduate of Richlands High School where he lettered in football and basketball. He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in the Vietnam War Era from 1965 – 1969. Dave was a Communications Specialist, serving the last two years of his deployment at Fuchu Air Station in Tokyo, Japan and was responsible for allowing many service personnel extra phone calls home. Mr. Lawson was a retired Locomotive Engineer, having worked for N&S Railroad for over thirty-five years. Dave was a mentor to many and a friend to all. He invested a lot of himself in the lives of others, especially in the youth who wanted to play sports and be in the band. David was proud to be an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason. He was a Past Worshipful Master in Cedar Bluff Lodge #260 and Tazewell Lodge #62; Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 45th Masonic District; Past Worthy Patron for the Richlands Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #104 and Tazewell OES #187 and supported all of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry: York Rite and Scottish Rite, holding several stations and offices in each. David loved his Lord and was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in the Springville community of North Tazewell, VA. He was a beacon of light in a darkening world and will be truly missed by his family and friends, whom he loved and who loved him in return. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Mitchell David Lawson; three sisters, Jo Nell, Lila and Ola; three brothers, Frank, Charlie and Bill; one brother-in-law, Bernard; one sister-in-law, Loretta. Those who survive to cherish his memory include his loving wife and companion of fifty-one and one-half years, Donna B. Hampton Lawson; three children, Sharon Beth Lawson Kinser of Tazewell, VA, David Lee Lawson, Jr. and wife, Maria of Daniels, WV and Brian Michael Lawson and wife, Mindy of Charlotte, NC; one sister, Sue Compton of Richlands, VA; one brother, L.C. Lawson of Trenton, NJ; four grandchildren, Olivia Kinser, Hannah, Mallie and Grant Lawson; a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends also survive. Funeral services for David Lee Lawson will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, VA with Pastor Chris White and Rev. Creighton Smith officiating. Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, VA. Dave’s family and many friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 – 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2018, where Masonic Rites will be held at 7:00 p.m. involving all area Masonic Lodges and Master Masons. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by members of the Bluefield Memorial VFW Post #9696 in Bluefield, VA. In addition to floral tributes, the family request that memorial donations be made to the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church: PO Box 25, Tazewell, VA 24651. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA is serving the family of Mr. Lawson and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

David Lee Lawson

May 25, 1944 - November 10, 2018