Tom Lawson, 73, died on December 28 from Alzheimer's Disease after spending several days at home under hospice care surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren and brothers. Tom was much loved, by his wife, Mary Beth, and his children (each of whom he told were his favorite): Jordan (Mike) Nauman, Robert (Molly) Lawson, Alexandra (Joe) Alverson and Michael (Micaela) Lawson. There are also five grandchildren to whom he was "Papa Tom": Bernadette and Georgette (Birdie and Georgie) Lawson, Charles and Zachary (Charlie and Zach) Alverson, and Avery Lawson.

A wide range of people also loved Tom and are part of a blended and chosen family that he helped to create, including Tedde and Hunter Orton, Helena Brooks, Kat Pepmeyer and Sam Beya, and Kate and Sam Nicolosi. His long-time caregivers from Home Instead, Jan Lammert and Bob Grove, also became valued members of his family.

Born in Middletown, Ohio to the late Rexill and Marguerite Lawson, Tom is survived by his brothers Jerry (Peggy) Lawson of Milford and Rex (Debbie) Lawson of Middletown and several nieces and a nephew. His brother Doug, Doug's wife Winnie and his nephew Jim Lawson sadly predeceased him.

After completing his education at Arizona State University and ASU's Thunderbird School of Global Management, Tom spent his career in sales and in building and managing digital infrastructure sales organizations, and focused on helping others achieve successful careers in companies such as IBM, HP, Hitachi and Open Systems Technologies.

He loved hosting barbecues while delegating all hosting responsibilities, taking his family to Cincinnati Reds games, and golfing with his kids and friends. He enjoyed history and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, World War II and the U.S. space program were favorite topics. Tom was a fan of the Andy Griffith Show and the Dick Van Dyke Show, classic movies like To Catch a Thief and some obscure movies like Captain Ron (as long as the lines were funny). He loved Frank Sinatra to the point where he received condolence calls when Frank died in 1998. He taught his children to appreciate outstanding movie quotes, Frank Sinatra's entire music catalog, and that they had to agree he was the tallest man in the world if they expected him to pay for their college educations. Speaking of their college educations, Tom carefully tailored his clothing choice to the child he was going to be with on a given day so that he wore a shirt that aligned with said child's college alma mater.

During his Alzheimer's journey, Tom became uniquely filled with happiness that he wanted to share with …. anyone. He came to regard the Rumpke refuse collector as a close friend to greet and shake hands with each week. He profusely thanked people who performed common courtesies like opening doors for him. It was not unusual for Tom to tell acquaintances that he loved them.

In addition to Home Instead, for several years the staff at the Clermont County Senior Center helped Tom socialize and thrive through his attendance at its Adult Day Services. For the last few months of his life, the Guardian Care Unit at Loveland Care Center helped make Tom feel safe and loved.

Tom's family appreciates all who helped eased his way through his illness and allowed him to be full of joy.

Finally, Tom would want us to note that this obituary was paid for by a national beer company that for intellectual property reasons cannot be named but whose motto is "Tastes Great. Less Filling".

Family and friends will be received Friday, January 9, 2026, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N Riverside Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140, where a service for Tom will begin at 10:30 AM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.