April 25, 2024, 90, Conway, SC —

Franklin Odell Lawson, age 90, died peacefully in Conway SC on April 25th, 2024 of kidney failure. Frank was born in the Platt Springs township of Lexington County, SC to William Frank Lawson and Gussie Marie Sharpe Lawson and was raised in the Columbia area. As a child, he frequently helped out around his grandparents’ farm.

He enlisted in the Strategic Air Command in 1954 and was stationed in places such as Arkansas, Puerto Rico, Louisiana, and eventually Goldsboro, NC, where he retired. He worked as an aircraft mechanic, crew chief, and nuclear missile systems analyst technician. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of technical sergeant after nearly 22 years of service.

Following his military retirement, Frank completed vocational training at Lenoir Community College and had a second career working as a machinist at Joy Manufacturing Company, which was later bought out by Cooper Industries. He worked there until his final retirement in his sixties. Much of his later life was dedicated to gardening and tending to his fruit trees, always producing a surplus for friends and family. In 2021, he relocated to Conway, SC to be closer to his daughter. He enjoyed growing lemons and tomatoes on the front porch and watching the ducks and geese on the pond out back.

Frank is survived by his son, Keith Lawson, and daughter-in-law, Chelsey Lawson of King George, VA; daughter, Darlene Slusher, and son-in-law, Dave Slusher; and grandchild, Luke Slusher of Conway, SC.

A visitation will be held at Seymour Funeral Home at 1300 Wayne Memorial Drive Goldsboro, NC 27534 from 6 to 8 PM on Friday, May 3rd. A graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in La Grange at 11 AM on Saturday, May 4th.

Services have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.seymourfuneralhome.com.