Robert Kris Lawson "Opie"'s Obituary
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED BY 2PM, FRIDAY APRIL 20, 2018 TO PARSELL FUNERAL HOMES, GEORGETOWN, DE.
Robert Kris “Opie” Lawson of Lewes, DE died Monday, March 26, 2018 in Milford under the care of Delaware Hospice. He was born on November 29,1971, in Lewes DE, the youngest son of Bill Lawson and Virginia (Lawson) Kauffman. He started his employment immediately following high school as a spinning machine operator for DuPont Co at the Seaford plant from 1990 to 2001. At the same time, he enjoyed his involvement with the Richmond, VA based Nascar team of Juney Donlavey. It was somewhat by his influence that Opie petitioned the Franklin Lodge AF & AM in Georgetown to become a Mason. He was raised as a Master Mason on April 17, 1997. He and his brother would soon after, simultaneously continue their masonic journey and become 32nd degree Scottish Rite Masons.
The DuPont Co. then began downsizing and he took the opportunity of a long standing offer with the Redi-Call Communications company in Georgetown. They knew his passion for up to date cell phone technology and put it to good use. It was during this time that he acquired his phone number as a tribute to his favorite number 1111. He also shared with his grandfather, Melvin Joseph, an admiration for the number 49 and the Ford color Poppy Red. At the beginning of the new millennium he increased his commitment to flagging and becoming a WKA official all over the East Coast and as far as the Midwest. Following in his father’s footsteps he flagged stock cars at Georgetown Speedway and go karts at Piney Neck, US 13, and the Milford Street race. In correlation with his passion for flagging on August 15, 2004, he embarked on his greatest endeavor to become a prominent Sussex County businessman like both his grandfathers before him and purchased First State Flag L.L.C. from businessmen and developer whom he fondly referred to as “uncle” Gary McCrea of Georgetown. With McCrea’s tutelage and Opie’s determination to become a successful businessman like the aforementioned mentors, he grew First State Flag into a leader in his industry accommodating a majority of the Delmarva public as well as the state, county, and local governments.
He is preceded in death by both paternal and maternal grandparents Clifford Lawson and Jessie Dodd Lawson Wilkins; Melvin L and Pearl E Joseph; and, his faithful Pomeranian companion of 17 years, Hugh Hefner Lawson affectionately known as “Hef”.
He is survived by his loving wife Amanda A. Lawson; father Bill Lawson (wife Judy); Mother Virginia (Lawson) Kauffman (husband Richard); Brother Kirk Lawson (wife Mary and son Robby); also, included are many members of his extended family.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 21, 2018 at 2 pm at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Cary Chapel, 307 North Bedford Street, Georgetown, DE where friends may visit beginning at noon. Friends may also visit at the funeral home on Friday Evening, April 20, 2018 from 6-8 PM. Entombment will follow the services at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery, Rt 113 north of Millsboro, DE.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in memory of Opie Lawson to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way Milford, DE 19963.
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