THOMAS EDWIN LAWSON Jr.

September 28, 1940 - January 17, 2025 Thomas E. Lawson, Jr, known as Tom, passed away on January 17, 2025. He is preceded in death by his husband and life partner of 44 years, Tony Gonzales, and his parents Thomas E. and Florence Lilly Lawson.
Tom was born in Trion, Ga and raised in Columbia, S. C. He graduated from University High School and the University of South Carolina with a BA degree in Political Science. After working for the Newberry County Welfare Department for a year, he went to Florida State University where he graduated with a Masters degree in Social Work. At FSU, he was recruited to work for the California State Department of Mental Health in Modesto, California. It was in Modesto that he met his future husband Tony and they subsequently moved to Long Beach, California where Tom worked for the State Department of Mental Health and later for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, retiring after 39 and a half years.
Tony who graduated from California State University Long Beach with a degree in Art and Design, worked as a commercial interior designer and with his talent left his legacy of skills on their beautiful Craftsman home Tom later named Casa Gonzales in his honor.
Tom and Tony loved traveling, all of the arts, especially musical theater and opera. They collected folk art and had museum quality collections of American Indian baskets and Mata Otiz pottery.
At work, Tom was honored as LA County's DMH first Social Worker of the Year and later received the Department's Lifetime Achievement Award. He started as a Psychiatric Social Worker, later became a Supervising PSW and lastly a Mental Health Clinical Program Head, managing programs and mental health clinics for LACDMH. He worked in every service area of LA County and knew the freeway system by heart. He started and ended his career in his beloved Long Beach where he retired as manager of one of the County's largest Mental Health Centers. For Tom, the client always came first and clients in the clinic had a warm regard for him as did the community and especially NAMI, (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) whose members appreciated Tom making certain their loved ones got the services they needed.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Tom loved his profession and was a proud, dedicated social worker. He instituted many award winning programs for the Department, was involved in staff training and considered a go to person for case management issues.
He represented LA County for years on the Southern California Counties Case Management Council and served as Chair during his tenure. During his career he was a field work instructor for the University of Southern California's School of Social Work.
After Tony's death, Tom became involved in the Long Beach LGBTQ Center's senior program and co-facilitated a senior men's group he and fellow social worker Charles Chang started. The Center recognized him several times for his contributions. Tom and Tony were long-time members of the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club, and worked for many years on the committee for the annual Human Rights Banquet. They received both the President's Award and the Paul Self Community Service Award from Lambda. They were active in working on campaigns for progressive candidates running for school board, city council, California Legislature, and US House and Senate.
If Tom knew your birthdate or anniversary, you were assured of receiving a card from him including the number of the anniversary you were celebrating.
Tom is survived by his sister, Lilly Lawson Cowsert of Lexington, S. C., brother, Byron Larry Lawson of Columbia, S. C., nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews. He has friends all over the United States, including some from his childhood for he believed that friends are forever.
Voluntary contributions in his memory can be made to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association PO Box 105 Glenolden, PA 19036 (cmtausa.org/donate) and the Senior Program of the Long Beach LGBTQ Center 2017 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (centerlb.org.)