James C. “J. C.” Lawson, 91, of Bentonville, Arkansas passed peacefully at home on Sunday June 26, 2022. He was born on November 18, 1930, at home in Bentonville, Arkansas, to Alberta Fisher Lawson and Ava H. Lawson.
He graduated from the Bentonville High School as a Salutatorian graduate in 1950, then Springfield Draughon Business University in 1951, University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with major in accounting, in 1957. He completed other course studies at Tulsa University and Colorado School of Mines, believing in lifelong education.
He moved back to Bentonville, Arkansas in 1990 from Houston, Texas, after retirement, following 33 years with Panhandle Eastern Corporation, now Duke Energy Corporation, after a 1997 merger. While employed with Panhandle Eastern, he held executive positions in the Regulatory Affairs Department and served as Economics Director to the Gas Research Institute for three years 1979-81. In 1952-1954 he was employed by Sunray Oil Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. From 1990 to present, he served as an advisor and board member to the Lawco Energy Group of Bentonville, Arkansas. During his professional career, he traveled extensively on countless trips to Washington D.C., New York, California, Florida, and many other locations around the United States.
J.C. was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley A. Hickman (married 1957 – 1972) of Cave Springs, Arkansas; and wife Serena A. Robinson (married 1973 until her passing in 1984 following a lengthy battle with leukemia).
He was a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International, a member of the Bentonville Bella Vista Rotary club, an Ambassador with the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, and he was a 32nd Degree Mason for 68 years with Delta Lodge No. 425, A. F. & A. M., of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He loved watching the Arkansas Razorbacks. He also enjoyed other outdoor activities with family and friends, that included golf, fishing, canoeing, skeet shooting, and hunting.
Survivors include two sons with Shirley A. Hickman: James R. “Randy” Lawson (Valorie) of Bentonville and Craig K. Lawson (Barbara) of Kansas City, Missouri; five grandchildren; Aaron Lawson, Rachel Lawson Nutt (Brian) both of Bentonville, Jacob Lawson (Casy), Zachary Lawson (Brandi) and Daniel Lawson all of Kansas City, Missouri; and six great-grandchildren, Alexandra Lawson, Kade Lawson, Deacon Nutt, Harper Lawson, Logan Lawson, and Holland Nutt.
A private burial will be Thursday, June 30, 2022, with Masonic rites conducted by Lodge 56 of Bentonville. Randy Lawson will officiate. There will also be a public service Thursday, with visiting time from 1:30 until 2:30pm, and a Celebration of Life to follow, in the south dining room of Fred’s Hickory Inn, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice (www.nwacircleoflife.com ), the Razorback Foundation, Inc. (www.razorbackfoundation.com ) or Economics Arkansas (www.economicsarkansas.org).
Online condolences can be made at www.callisonloughfh.com.
