James “Jim” A. Lawson
Obituary of James “Jim” A. Lawson, 82
James “Jim” A. Lawson, 82, of Mission Viejo, California, passed away, Sunday, January 19, 2014 at his home. He was born in Foxboro, Massachusetts on February 2, 1931 and enjoyed sharing his birthday celebrations with Punxsutawney Phil, on Ground Hog’s Day.
Jim grew up on Cocasett lake in Foxboro and attended High School at Proctor Academy in New Hampshire where he enjoyed skiing and ice hockey. He attended Harvard and studied geology and was on the long jump ski team.
He served in the Korean War for the army collecting intelligence and was stationed in Cairo, Egypt. While there, he visited and photographed the inside of King Tut’s Tomb and began a lifelong interest in Egyptology. After he returned from the war while working a summer job in Palm Beach, Florida building sets for summer stock theater he met his wife-to-be Georgene “Bunny” Ricard. They married and started a family and Jim settled down teaching science.
After three children (Gregory, Valerie, and Scott) and many teaching and school administration positions in New York, Ohio, Michigan, and Kansas City he began to learn about computers and in 1979 created one of the first Travel Expense applications for the early personal computer. Ahead of his time, he closed that venture and moved to Los Angeles to work in information technology eventually retiring from Kenwood USA as their CIO.
While his professional life was deeply involved in computer systems he also found time to support his wife with her passion, children’s theater. Especially in Mission Viejo, CA he built sets, did sound and lighting, did promotion and administration for Children’s Theatre Workshop and Brown Bag Players, ventures started by his wife of 57 years, Bunny Lawson.
Jim was a gentle and giving man and also gave his time Mount of Olives Church as church president and usher and most recently helping out at the Adult Day Care center. Even in retirement he was teaching science online educating and corresponding to those who could not attend a physical college along with students in prison.
Jim is survived by his wife, Bunny; daughter, Valerie Peak; son Scott Lawson; his grandchildren, Daniel and James Peak and Karli and Makai Lawson and great grandchild, Destiny. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Ted Lawson and his son, Greg Lawson.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church at 11:00 am. Flowers or donations to the charity of your choice are appreciated.
