James Lawson

LAWSON, SR., JAMES WINSTON of Moody, Alabama, died on June 7, 2011 at the age of 83. He was an active member of the Roebuck Plaza Baptist Church. He was President (retired) of LM&B, Inc., dealing with the printing trade, advertising agencies, and other businesses and colleges. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on December 6, 1927, James began school in San Francisco, California. Then he went to twelve different schools in six different states. These schools were in such places as Washington, D.C.; Tampa, Florida; Troy, Alabama; St. Petersburg, Florida; Columbus, Georgia; Oakland, California; Chicago, Illinois; Birmingham, Alabama; Trussville, Alabama; and Auburn, Alabama. In the Spring of 1946, he graduated from Hewitt High School in Trussville, where he played all sports and was Sports Editor for the school newspaper and the school annual book. He joined the Army and served with the First Cavalry Division with some of the first troops to occupy the country of Japan. One of the major accomplishments of his Troop was to locate German Officers who had fled to Japan, before the fall of Berlin. They were put on a ship which took them to back to Germany to stand "war trials." Upon his return from his military obligation, James attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University). In the years later, he became a member of the Printers' Executive Club, the Better Business Bureau, and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a Charter Member of the Highland Racquet Club, a long-time member of the Greater Auburn Fund, and the Birmingham/Jefferson Auburn Club. James and brother-in-law Bennie Smith had purchased season tickets for more than fifty years to Auburn football games since the inception of the G.A.F. (Possibly as many as three hundred games). James always said that he would rather be for Auburn when they lose than to be for Bama when they win. James was preceded in death by both his father, Leonard Lawson, and his mother, Pauline Lawson, of Trussville, Alabama; his wife, Harriett Lawson; his brother, Dr. Bill Lawson, of Bartow, Florida, his step-son Robbie Braxton( surviving wife, Brenda); and step-daughter, Angelia Braxton. James is survived by two sons, James Lawson, Jr. (wife, Kay), of Smokerise, Alabama; and Fred Lawson, (wife, Toni), of Pinson, Alabama; one daughter, Patricia Lawson Perez, of Moody, Alabama; one step-daughter, Yvonne Braxton, of Moody, Alabama; brother, Victor Lawson, (wife, Jannette), of Palm Bay, Florida; sister, Ann Smith (husband, Bennie), of Roebuck Plaza, Alabama; twelve wonderful grandchildren, Eric Lawson, Jeremy Lawson, (wife, Holly); Jimbo Lawson; and Melissa (Lawson) Doyle (husband, Clay), Clay Russell (wife, Kristen), Benjamin Haynes, Jack, Audrey, Mary Alice, Robin, Brian, and Della Braxton; four wonderful great grandchildren, a number of nephews and nieces, along with a host of very special friends. As we celebrate James' life here on earth, his family and friends who have gone on before him, are celebrating his arrival in Heaven. Visitation will be held at Jefferson Memorial, in Trussville, on June 10, 2011 between the hours of 10am and 11am o'clock, with funeral services to be held on June 10, 2011 at 11am o'clock in the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, Pastor James A. Auchmuty, officiating. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing