DC Lawson

D.C. was born on December 31, 1926, in Goldsboro, N.C., son to the late Robert O'Brien Lawson and Mary Elizabeth Robinson Lawson. D.C. was the eldest of five children. He was predeceased by his brothers Arnold Thomas and Billy June and his sister, Sally Louise Carter. He is survived by his youngest sister Clara Geraldine Varner. He married Dorothy (Dot) Gale Bovender on June 20, 1953. They were married for 56 years. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Gail and his son-in-law, Dr. S. Craig Wilson, Sr. of Raleigh, N.C.; his grandson, Steven Craig Wilson, Jr., and his wife, Robyn, parents to great-grandson, Steven Craig Wilson, III; his granddaughter, Stacey Blair Walker, and husband, Thomas, parents to great-granddaughters, Meredith and Eliza.

D.C. attended High Point High School until enrolling in the U.S. Marines Corps in 1942 when he was 15 years old. A strong and determined teenager with a forged parent’s signature, he was allowed to enlist as a 17 year old. D.C. was in the 6th Marine Division, 29th Regiment, and was part of the first wave of Marines when they invaded Okinawa in April 1945. During a night ambush, grenades exploded in a foxhole that D.C. shared with his friends. D.C. carried two other Marines to safety despite being shot twice during their retreat. He and his two friends survived, but were seriously wounded. D.C was hospitalized for nearly a year in Guam, Hawaii, and California. Later on in life, he had to have additional surgeries to remove migrating shrapnel and bullets. D.C. was awarded the Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice. More of D.C.'s story, and the stories of other North Carolina veterans, are detailed in the book We Remember: Stories by North Carolina Veterans of World War II, edited by C. Russell Reynolds.

After returning home, D.C. attended High Point College. Although his war injuries left him 60% disabled, he became a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of Treasury and later with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In the early years of his career, he chased and arrested bootleggers such as the legendary Junior Johnson. Later, he taught courses on explosives, did undercover work in Cuba, and even guarded Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.

D.C. was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose captivating stories, old-fashioned idioms, laughter, and good-nature were a delight to all who knew him. Known to many as “Dakdo,” he was absolutely adored by his three great-grandchildren. D.C. and his wife Dot enjoyed the North Carolina mountains, backyard birding, watching N.C. State football games, and spending time with their grandchildren. D.C. was a fitness enthusiast and an avid golfer who maintained the ability to drive over 300 yards well into his eighties. He had many fond memories with his buddies at MacGregor Downs where he was a Charter member.

We would like to thank the staff at Waltonwood Lake Boone for helping to care for D.C. these last 3 years. D.C. especially loved attending the exercise classes and art classes during the day. He enjoyed spending time with all the friends he made.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 29th at 1:00 pm at Christ Church, 120 E Edenton Street, Raleigh, N.C. There will be a reception to follow at Christ Church from 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm.

Following the reception, a burial with full military honors will be held at 3:00 pm at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

In leu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church

Service arrangements are being provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.