Lawson Watts Mays

Lawson Watts Mays was born on June 3, 1922 in Dayton, Ohio to Thomas and Beatrice Mays. He was the second son of the five Mays children (Thomas, Jr., Lucretia, Susan, and Lyra) and the last living sibling. After graduating from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, Lawson served in the United States Army during World War II. The returning war veteran attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where he met his future wife, Earlene J. Mays, who preceded him in death. Lawson and Earlene were married for 62 years. Lawson and Earlene were the proud parents of three daughters, Sheila, Shirley and Lucretia, the doting grandparents to Marques, Lauren, Jared, and Kendall, and the loving great-grandparents of Miona and Jordan. Lawson also was the uncle to special nieces and nephews in Dayton and the friend to many in Wilberforce. Lawson and Earlene resided in Wilberforce, Ohio until 2010, when they both moved to Tucson, Arizona to be near their children. Lawson served in the Air Force reserve, rising to the rank of Captain. He was a civilian employee of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he was the Chief of the Division of Foreign Technology. After he retired from Wright-Patt, Lawson dabbled in real estate and became a licensed real estate agent with Harold Rodin Realty. Lawson was a strong head of his household who was an “old school” model of a son, a husband, and a father. He administered justice with compassion, and discipline with a huge dose of humor. He shared his gift of laughter and fun with everyone he met. Lawson passed away quietly at his home in Tucson on June 13, 2012. Arrangements by BRING’S BROADWAY CHAPEL, Tucson, AZ, (520)296-7193.