John M. Lawson

John was born on February 7, 1949 to Drexil and Kathleen Lawson in Williamson, West Virginia. He grew up in Delbarton, West Virginia where he graduated as the valedictorian from Burch High School in 1966. John joined the West Virginia Air National Guard where he served from 1967 to 1973. While serving, he earned the rank of Sergeant and received the Expert Marksmanship Award, along with the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding conduct, as well as the Vietnam Service Award for serving for five (5) years. He also attended Marshall University from 1966 to 1968 to complete his pre-pharmacy courses and was an active member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He transferred to West Virginia University College of Pharmacy to obtain his pharmacy degree in 1973.

After graduation from West Virginia University, he began working as a pharmacist for Echard Drugs and later for Nelson’s Drug in Parkersburg, West Virginia. John then was hired by Kmart Pharmacy and shortly thereafter relocated to Buffalo, New York. It was while he was working in New York that he was promoted to District Pharmacy Manager and transferred to Columbia, South Carolina, where he found his permanent home. John spent 26 years in this role, traveling the state of South Carolina, with many miles on the road. He officially retired from Kmart, but spent a few years after at Walmart and Walgreens in the Columbia area, as well.

John had a special gift and passion for relating to people. He developed and maintained endless amounts of amazing friendships over his life. For everyone who knew John, everyone certainly knew he was the life of the party. His charismatic and outgoing personality captured the hearts of everyone he met and lit up every room he entered. He enjoyed life to the fullest, had an incredible zest for life and loved to entertain others. He treasured his boating years on Lake Murray and all the memories he made with his friends and family. John’s energy, compassion and stunning smile will be deeply missed by all of us.

John was preceded in death by his parents and late wife, Joanne Turner Lawson.

He is survived by brother, Gene Lawson of The Woodlands, Texas; sister, Drexena (Roger) Puza of Charleston, South Carolina; son, Todd (Denise) Anderson of Columbia, South Carolina; daughter, Angela (Scott) Stropkai of Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandchildren, Michael and Olga Anderson of Columbia, South Carolina, Emily Anderson of Columbia, South Carolina, Grant and Owen Stropkai of Grand Rapids, Michigan; beloved great-granddaughter, Kensy Scarlett Anderson of Columbia, South Carolina; nieces, Elizabeth Dilley of Louisville, Kentucky and Mary Ellen (Jeremy) Winters of Huntington, West Virginia; nephews, Greg (Keri) Lawson of Thousand Oaks, California and Todd (Amy) Lawson of The Woodlands, Texas, along with an infinite amount of loving and special friends.

A private family Celebration of Life will be held at Macedonia Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 am. The ceremony will be streamed live on the Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Chapin Chapel's Facebook page for all to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to homewardboundrescuesc.com or carolinawildlife.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanchapin.com for the Lawson family.