Captain Ramsay Lawson, USN Retired, 79, of Haven Drive, Saluda, N.C. died Sunday, March 10, 2013 at RoseCrest Nursing Home, Inman, S.C.
Born in Utica, NY, he was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Lawson.
A graduate of Colgate University, N.Y., Captain Lawson spent 32 years in the U.S. Navy serving as a Naval aviator.
Among his many tours of duty, he was the squadron commander of VA 164 during the Vietnam War, served as the commander of the USS Iwo Jima, a member of Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon and later as the comptroller of the Naval Shipyard in Charleston, S.C.
He was a member of the Tail Hook Association.
Among the medals he was awarded during his years of service, was the Silver Star, awarded to him in 1972.
After moving to Saluda he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and tutored at Saluda School for many years. Captain Lawson was an avid golfer.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Christel Hicks Lawson; two sons, Arthur Lawson of Greensboro, N.C. and Drew Lawson (Rose) of Dayton, Ohio; a daughter, Tanya Turley (Bruce) of Summerville, S.C., and a sister, Mary Searles (David) of Owensboro, Ky.  Also surviving are five grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675, Woundedwarriorproject.org; or Saluda School at 214 E Main St., Saluda, N.C. 28773.
An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.