The man we knew as George Sturgis Lawler, Dad, and Gpop, shared one final joke with his son Mike before he passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 27, 2026 in Towson, Maryland just before his 76th birthday. The last face he saw was that of his beautiful bride of 55 years, Theresa “Terri” Anne Lawler (née Zimmermann).
George moved to Maryland for his first job after obtaining his MBA from Northwestern University (1973), his BA from the University of Notre Dame (1972), and marrying his high school sweetheart, Terri. Together, they attended and graduated University of Maryland School of Law (George earned Order of Coif in 1978). George and Terri built a life in Timonium where they had two children, Katie and Mike, and many, many dear friends. While building his corporate law practice – first at Frank, Bernstein, Conaway & Goldman, then at Semmes Bowen & Semmes, and finally at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston – George never missed a family dinner, a ballet recital of Katie’s or a ball game of Mike’s. He always made time for a week-night trip to Padonia Park Pool or an arcade for some pinball action, and for family vacations to amusement parks, battlefields, or other fun new places.
George, who was nationally recognized and cited by Baltimore Magazine numerous times as a Super Lawyer, took great pride in his work and in the relationships he built throughout his career. The friendships he formed at each firm endured for decades. He kept up with former colleagues and their families long after they worked together and took genuine pride in their accomplishments, often speaking of them as though they were his own. He approached life with curiosity, generosity, and a strong sense of loyalty to the people and institutions that mattered most to him.
As in the movie “Rudy,” there was only one team that played on Saturdays for George – and that was the Fightin’ Irish. Until, of course, his son and daughter attended Syracuse, which prompted him to become one of the proudest Orange fans in history (unless they played Notre Dame). He held his alma mater close to his heart and enjoyed sharing Notre Dame traditions with his growing family, even celebrating touchdown points with pushups of his grandchildren during his last football games.
George genuinely enjoyed people and possessed the rare ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. Whether he was meeting up with an old friend, chatting with a sports fan at a game watch, or sharing stories with someone he had just met, George had the gift of gab and an uncanny ability to make people feel like friends. He loved spending time with family and friends, adored his German Shepherds (each proudly named "Fritzi"), and never passed up an opportunity for a casino outing. He would proudly share photos and tales of his big wins. He and Terri enjoyed many cruises, gambling junkets, and countless family vacations together, with their children and grandchildren, and with extended family.
As a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, George had an incredibly generous spirit. He loved family gatherings and any chance to share a story – from his childhood mischief on various Army bases to his early married years to any recent shenanigans – but always with good humor and a lesson. He was constantly thinking of presents and experiences to share with his beloved children and grandchildren, always so eager to give the gift he could never keep it a secret. Some gifts, though lost – like the drone that never came back or the “silver” jewelry that turned everyone green – gave us memories even more precious than the gifts themselves. While we may not be able to make new stories with him, his memory will live on in the ones we continue to share.
George is survived by Terri, his devoted wife of 55 years, his daughter Katherine Anne Broughton Lawler (Christopher Shane Broughton Lawler) and son Michael Sturgis Lawler (Abigail Catherine née Keys), and his three grandchildren on whom he doted: William “Liam” Sturgis Lawler; Charlotte Elsie Lawler; and Henry Patrick Lawler. George is also survived by his brother John Pennington Lawler (Maureen) and Robert “Bob” Russell Lawler, and his sisters and brother-in-law, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Erica Ozols, Perry Ozols, and several loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was born October 11, 1950, in Frankfurt, Germany, to Major (Ret.) Jack Pennington Lawler, U.S. Army, and Alma “Ruth” (née Hillyer) Lawler. He is also survived by other loving family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather for a viewing at Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley on Sunday, October 11th from 12pm to 2pm & 3pm to 5pm; Immediately following the visitation a celebration of life will be held at Michael’s Café, 2119 York Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093 from 5:30-8:30pm.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 12th at 10am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Cockeysville. The Mass will be live streamed: https://www.youtube.com/live/zxOIr01O0SQ
A private interment to follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a scholarship fund in his name at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/51532/donations/new?NDAC=10545&in_memory_of=George%20S.%20Lawler%20-%20465375&designation=universityofnotredamememorialscholarshiphonoringgeorgeslawler&
