James Thomas Lawler Sr.

Jim Lawler who was born June 5, 1951 in Chicago and lost his battle with lung cancer quietly at home on March 4, 2012. He was a loving husband to Nancy for 39 years. He leaves daughter, Elizabeth(Kevin Gilpin) and son James and grandchildren, Wesley, Audrey and Owen. His incredible life will be celebrated March 18 with friends and family at the Mount Vernon Yacht Club.

JAMES THOMAS LAWLER

June 5, 1951 – March 4, 2012

Jim was born in Chicago and grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. Growing up in the sixties he experienced first-hand some of the events and cultural changes that defined his generation. He played drums with many of the bands that came out of Chicago including the Chicago Transit Authority (Chicago), the Association and other garage bands that went on to be famous. He won a “Battle of the Bands” for his drumming while in his teens but he also played percussion for the local symphony. He attended college at Kemper Military in Missouri, Northwestern University in Chicago and later American University in DC. He married Nancy at age 22 in 1973 and in 1974 daughter Elizabeth came along. To support his growing family, he worked in the R&D department for Wilson Sporting Goods and held patents for protective foam for football helmets from his work there. He often worked with professional football teams and was known as an innovator. Moving to Rockford, Illinois in 1979 – 1981 where he worked in the wine industry, Nancy and Jim bought their first home. In 1980 son James joined big sister Elizabeth. While in Rockford he joined the Robert Burns Society and played drums in the Scottish marching band, kilt and all. He always had great legs. A life-long friend in Michigan, who had recruited Jim to help with state campaigns, sought Jim to run his campaign for the vacated congressional seat in Washington DC in 1980. Jim got him elected, accepted a position in his congressional office and that’s how Alexandria became home for the Lawler’s for more than 30 years. Jim served as Legislative Director for the congressman until 1985 when he left politics for private business. Jim maintained his friends and contacts in politics for many years. He ran his own distribution company for 20 years. Jim was never afraid to try new things, ever. In his 30s he was an avid collector of 18th century America antiques with wife Nancy. For a while in the late 80s he owned race horses and raced them in Maryland and Delaware. Jim learned to downhill ski in his 30s and quickly became an adept skier as many friends and their children can attest. Lots of good times skiing were had in Canaan Valley by Jim and his family for many years. In the late 90s Jim returned to his first love, acting and singing. He became a member of the Screen Actors Guild when he began performing in films. He played in local theater and enjoyed award winning success. He had a long list of stage performances, movies and TV series work to his name. Most of all he loved to sing and happily shared his beautiful voice with his many friends sometimes bringing a tear to their eyes with renditions of Broadway favorites. Jim was a man of many talents including remodeling his home and sometimes the homes of others. He was always willing to help, had an incredible talent for knowing how to fix things. He bought his first boat when he joined the Mount Vernon Yacht Club in 1981. He was a sailor for 25 years until he bought his first cabin cruiser. He loved boating with Nancy and also his club friends. He loved the parties and the mischief that often happens at the yacht club. So it is fitting he is celebrated today in the place that he and his family enjoyed for the past 30 years.