Born in Greensboro, NC on September 15, 1944 to Leo H. Lawson and Lucille W. Lawson, Ken spent most of his childhood in Orrum and Lumberton, NC. After graduating from Lumberton High School, and Greensboro College, he moved to Raleigh as a Branch Manager for NCNB (now Bank of America) for five years. Two other business ventures with Carolina Glass Co. and Lawson’s Lawn and Hardware brought him to 1974 and his association with Nationwide Insurance. He opened Lawson Insurance Agency in 1974 and continued to work with his three sons and expanded his business until 2003 when he retired from Nationwide, but continued to work every day until his recent illness.
As a young man, Ken was very active in the Raleigh Jaycees for many years. He was also a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s award for exemplary service to the state. This award was given to him by Gov. Bob Scott after his trip to England as a goodwill ambassador with the NC Jaycees. As his boys got older, he changed his focus to coaching Little League Baseball and Junior League football for 20 years. He was a passionate coach and great influence to many young men who played for Colony, Dominoes Pizza, and Ace Glass baseball teams and Maryland football. He also volunteered with the Sanderson High School football program for several years and was very active in the Sanderson Athletic Club. An avid NCSU fan, Ken has been a member of the Wolfpack Club since 1968 and has only missed a couple of games in all that time.
Ken is also survived by three sons: Ken Lawson, Jr. and wife Teresa; Miller Lawson and wife Amy; Michael Lawson and wife Emily, and five grandchildren: Will, Emily, Jack, Sam and Abby, all of Raleigh. Also surviving are a sister Barbara West of Lumberton, and brothers Joe Williamson and Leo Lawson, Jr. of Wilmington, and their families.
Visitation will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd. on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7506 Falls of Neuse Rd, with internment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, 27607 or to the charity of your choice.
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