Richard "Dick" E. Lawson

Richard “Dick” E. Lawson was born on August 25, 1932, to Tolian O. Lawson and Viola B. Lawson in Wayne Township, Ohio. The youngest of three children, Dick spent many happy days growing up on the family farm.

When his older brother was drafted in 1943, Dick’s father told him, “You’re the man of the house now.” At just 11 years old, Dick took those words seriously, spending long hours alongside his father working the family’s wheat and corn fields. It was an early glimpse of the work ethic, responsibility and devotion to family that would define his life.

Dick graduated from Waynesville High School in 1950. On December 11, 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving until his discharge on December 10, 1954.

On July 14, 1955, Dick married Winifred “Winnie” Began, the love of his life. Together they raised three sons and built their home on five acres in Clinton County, just a mile from Caesars Creek Lake.

Dick worked for Western Southern Insurance Company in Franklin before joining Mound Laboratory, where he worked for 25 years. Away from work, he was happiest tending his rather large vegetable garden, watching his sons compete in high school sports and telling his famous “Grandpa Lawson” stories.

Dick took early retirement in 1985—but retirement never suited a man who liked to stay busy. He continued working at a variety of part-time jobs and finally, officially, retired at the age of 88.

In 1990, Dick and Winnie sold their home and moved to Florida. Over the next 17 years, they moved from Florida to Ohio to South Carolina before returning to Ohio for good in 2007. Dick and Winnie liked to joke that they were part of the witness protection program, but ultimately, they returned to their native Ohio for the best reason of all: family.

Together, Dick and Winnie enjoyed walking, traveling, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. Dick was also a faithful member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springboro, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Donald; his sister, Shirley; and his beloved wife, Winnie. Following a courageous nine-and-a-half-year battle with breast cancer, Winnie died on November 19, 2021, with Dick holding her hand.

Perhaps one of Dick’s greatest gifts to his family came during Winnie’s illness. Through his unwavering care for her, he taught his children and grandchildren something more powerful than words ever could about love, patience, tenderness, and devotion—and what it truly means to stand beside the person you love.

Dick is survived by his three sons, Mike (Ellen) Lawson of Cleveland, Ohio; Kevin (Cathy) Lawson of Springboro, Ohio; and Eric (Natalie) Lawson of Kettering, Ohio. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren—Sarah, Michaela, Caleb, Ciara, Carly, Simon, Noah, and Gabe—and three great-grandchildren, Frankie, River, and Luke.

Visitation will be in the Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 415 Main St, Springboro, OH, on Saturday, September 19 at 10am with a service following at 11 am. At Dick’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pink Ribbon Good in memory of his beloved wife, Winnie Lawson.

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