While attending high school, Lawson built a radio broadcasting station in his family's basement. He and around eight friends formed an orchestra called "The Swingdusters." His radio station broadcast music around Loyall and Harlan.

After serving in World War II, he returned to Kentucky where he graduated from the University of Kentucky. He then returned to the army as an officer, serving in Hawaii, Korea and Vietnam. He and his wife Wanda retired to Hawaii in 1963.

He was preceded in death by his parents, W.S. and Susan Lawson; a brother, Bill Lawson; and two sisters, Joanne Standridge, and Myrna Lawson Stolley.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda; three sons: James Edward Lawson, Jr., Tampa Fla.; Scott Lawson, Hawaii; and Mark Lawson, Las Vegas, Nev.; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild and seven brothers and sisters: Nina Lawson, Loyall; Marie L. Miller, Panama City Beach, Fla.; Wilma Tschudy and Delores Loftin, both of Jonesboro, Ga.; Susan L. Brown, Kingsport, Tenn.; and Doug and Kenneth Lawson, both of Loyall.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Wix Howard Cemetery at Loyall with Wix Unthank, Grady Lee and members of the Lawson family participating. Military rites will be performed by the Harlan Honor Guard.