Mr. Gene Lawson

Mr. Gene Lawson, age 85, of Thomaston, died Monday, May 11, 2026, at Upson Regional Medical Center.

He was born Jimmy Gene Lawson in Emanuel County Georgia to the late Morris Lee Lawson and Muriel Rawlings Lawson. After graduating high school in Frostproof, Fla., Gene entered the U.S. Army as an M.P. and did his basic training at Fort Benning, GA and spent 2 years in service overseas.

After returning home to central Florida he met the love of his life, Naomi Elder, and went to work for his father-in-law at his HESS service station where he continued to rise through the ranks of the Amerada Hess Corp. until he reached the position of Southeastern Regional manager. After 20 years in the air and on the road, he decided to move his family back to their family roots in Adrian, GA. In 1985 he moved his family to Thomaston, GA to work with Thomaston Ford for over 30 years.

Gene had a great love of music, which he passed on to all around him. He always would have the latest, greatest home music studio at every stop on his journey. He also enjoyed writing and storytelling with volumes of unpublished poems and witty anecdotal stories of life experiences. His love of family preceded every other thing listed here. A devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Mr. Gene is survived by his wife, Naomi Elder Lawson, his sons, Jimmy Gene Lawson, Jr. (Sherry) of Thomaston, Lance Kevin Lawson of Thomaston, and Matthew Lee Lawson (Tiffany) of Concord; his grandchildren, Bailey Lawson Howington (Lehman), Carson Gene Lawson (Emily Stevens), Dahlia Leigh Lawson, Matthew Lee Lawson, Jr., Jeffery Lynn Moncrief, Jr., and Aaron Shelby Moncrief; his great grandchild, Miller Jane Howington. He is also survived by Kandy Lawson, his nephews, Chris Coleman and Craig Coleman, honorary son, Shane Ellis, and honorary grandsons, Dale Ellis, and James Stone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Muriel and his only sibling, Carol Dean Lawson Coleman.

Funeral services for Mr. Gene will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 2:00 PM, in the chapel of Fletcher-Day Funeral Home. Rev. Chet Yates will officiate and military honors will be rendered. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM, prior to the service on Saturday. 

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association. 

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.