Obituary of Timothy Lawson

Timothy Michael Lawson, 57, passed away unexpectedly on September 24, 2012 while visiting northern California with his wife. Tim was a great family man, neighbor and community member and will be greatly missed. Tim was born in Baltimore, MD to Bernard and Patricia Lawson on May 5, 1955. He was the oldest of five siblings. After his mother died when he was a child, his father married Mary Frances (Molly) Lawson, who became Tim?s second mother. The family moved to Charlotte in 1968. Tim graduated from Charlotte Catholic High School in 1973 where he enjoyed being the athletic trainer of the football and basketball teams and first met his future wife, Mary Lou McMullen. Tim graduated from Belmont Abbey College with a BA in Biology in 1981 and later received his Master?s degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Tim and Mary Lou married in 1979 at Belmont Abbey Cathedral. They lived in Chapel Hill for 6 years and then in the Richmond area before settling back to Charlotte. They have two children: Christine, a recent graduate from Unity College in Maine and Brendan, a junior at Catawba College. Tim?s professional career included many years working with medical business offices in Charlotte. At the time of his passing, he was an Instructional Designer for Novant Health. He most recently received the Novant Circle of Excellence Award. He previously worked with Carolina Family Physicians. His greatest passion was History and he read extensively. He felt privileged to teach for several years at Central Piedmont Community College, and also served with the National Park Service at Ft. McHenry. He remained active as a paramedic and EMT for many years, serving as an emergency responder for local rescue squads and was voted a Lifetime Member of the West End Volunteer Rescue Squad in Richmond, VA. Tim was very active with the Boy Scouts of America. He served as Cubmaster of Pack 288 and Scoutmaster of Troop 288 at St. Vincent?s Church. He continued to be active in a number of regional roles with the Scouts, mentored several Eagle Scouts, and had just completed a week of volunteer training at the Philmont Training Center in New Mexico. Tim volunteered with the Ancient Order of the Hibernians where he served as the first president of the Sons of Erin Division as well as their first State President for North Carolina. He loved all things Irish and enjoyed his role as Regional Chieftain of the Clan M?Crack. He was the Parade Director for the Charlotte St. Patrick?s Day Parade for many years, and in 2006 was named ?Irish Man of the Year? at The Irish American Banquet in Charlotte, NC. He was a former board member and officer for the Freedom Park Neighborhood Association. Tim is survived by his wife Dr. Mary Lou Lawson; two children Christine and Brendan Lawson; his 2nd mother Molly Lawson; sisters Mariann Fouts (Michael) and Frances Lawson; brothers Jerry and Bernard Lawson (Renee); nieces Casey, Allison, Catherine, Julia, Erin, Ashley, Lindsay, Lauren, Sarah, Caroline and Ellen; and nephews Andrew and Iain. A funeral service will be held at 10AM Tuesday, Oct. 2 at St. Peter?s Catholic Church, 507 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Visitation will be 6-9PM Monday, Oct. 1 at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home, 1111 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tim?s memory may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, 1410 East 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or to the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Division 1, P.O. Box 470285, Charlotte, NC 28247.