Dunbar "Dee" Lawson Jr.

LAWSON, Dunbar Jr., Capt. USN (Ret.), age 66, of Mathews, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. He was preceded in death by his mother, Sally Bet Walker Lawson. Capt. Lawson was a decorated Naval Aviator. He served his country for 25 years, flying carrier onboard delivery during the Vietnam War, instructing pilots in training, and conducting anti-submarine warfare in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. In addition, he served tours in Washington, D.C. and aboard the U.S.S. Blue Ridge, Yokosuka, Japan, in support of U.S. Seventh Fleet operations. Upon retirement, Capt. Lawson became a licensed Certified Public Accountant and ran a successful tax consulting service in Mathews, Va. He was active in the local community, serving as treasurer of the Mathews County Historical Society, Chairman of the Mathews County Wetlands Board, and was a charter member of the Mathews Community Foundation and McSEED (Mathews County Sustainable Economic and Environmental Development). He was also active with the Retired Officers of Mathews County Association, Mathews Ruritan Club, New Point Lighthouse Task Force, Old Thomas James Store Committee, Put-In Creek Dredging Project and the Mathews Yacht Club. Kingston Parish was very important to him and he served in various capacities, notably as treasurer of the Parish and as a member of the Vestry. He was a graduate of Christchurch School, Middlesex, the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Psychology, and Central Michigan University with an MBA. He completed studies at the Industrial College of the Armed Services, Washington, D.C. He also attended the College of William & Mary and George Mason University in pursuit of his CPA designation. Dee loved flying, sailing, cruising aboard the Adrianna III, living in beautiful Mathews, and playing with his grandkids. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, the former Reed Ryerson Barnes of Elm City, North Carolina; daughter, Adrian Hudgins and her husband, Kevin; daughter, Anna Benevente and her husband, Paul; and four grandchildren, Isabella, Julia, Lydia and Luca. He also is survived by his father, Capt. Dunbar Lawson Sr. USN (Ret.) of Mathews; sister, Susan L. McKnight and husband, George, of Cardinal; sister-in-law, William Anne Barnes Pamplin and husband, Evan, of Easley, South Carolina; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, Va. on Friday, December 18, 2009 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church, Williams Wharf Road, Mathews, Va. on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.