Thomas James "jim" Lawhon

THOMAS JAMES "JIM" LAWHON, M.D. died on Sunday, the 7th of April 2013. Jim was born in Houston on the 19th of November 1944, the son of Flora Streetman and Thomas J. Lawhon, who preceded him in death.
A third-generation Houstonian, Jim graduated from Lamar High School in 1963 and attended The University of the South (Sewanee), where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1967 receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and subsequently received his medical degree from U.T.M.B. Galveston in 1971. Following graduation, Jim completed an internship at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin and a general surgery residency at Memorial Hermann Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Houston.
He practiced at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital from 1976 until 2009. During his practice, Jim served on numerous hospital boards as well as on the Memorial Hermann Foundation. As a physician and friend, he was known for his gentle manner and kind heart. In 1992, Jim was named "Physician of the Year" at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. He was also a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Houston Surgical Society and served on the Board of Directors of the T.I.R.R. Foundation.
Jim was a member of various social organizations, including the Houston Country Club, Allegro and the River Oaks Breakfast Club. He was a devoted member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry. Jim and his family loved the mountains of Colorado and some of their best times were spring skiing and summer hiking trips. A lifelong golfer, Jim especially enjoyed time spent with friends on the golf course. He dearly loved his family and friends, and nothing delighted him more than gathering with them.
Jim is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth Lawhon Batton and her husband John, Courtney Lawhon Robertson and her husband James; and their mother, Susan Light Lawhon. He is also survived by his sisters, Jane Joplin and her husband Bill, and Anne Harrington. "Papa Jim" considered himself immeasurably blessed by his five grandchildren, Rob Batton, Lauren Batton, Kate Batton, Ellie Robertson and Robbie Robertson. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who affectionately called him "Jimmy."
A memorial service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 11th of April, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., Rector, and the Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Senior Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, are to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. Martin's Episcopal Church Endowment, 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX, 77056; Memorial Hermann Foundation, 929 Gessner Rd., Suite 2650, Houston, TX, 77024; or T.I.R.R Foundation, 4605 Post Oak Place, Suite 222, Houston, TX, 77027.