Vasco T. Lawson

LAWSON, Vasco T., age 88 of Alcoa, passed away peacefully at Blount Memorial Morningview Transitional Care Center in Maryville on July 17, 2006. Vasco was born in Williamsburg, Kentucky, graduated from Cumberland College, and attended Union College and The University of Tennessee. He was a member of Alcoa First Baptist Church and the Alcoa 25-year club. He retired from ALCOA, Inc. as an accountant with 38 years of service. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Ruth Lawson, parents, Arthur and Lela Lawson of Williamsburg, Kentucky, brother, Keith Lawson of Lake City, Tennessee, sister, Maxine Long of Rockwood, Tennessee, Carol Lawson and infant siblings Fredia and Norman Lawson. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Sherrel and Michael Buero of Alcoa; son, Kyle Lawson, and daughter and son-in-law, Faye and Craig Bush of Trussville, Alabama; seven devoted grandchildren, Marti Buero Rose, Matt Buero, Amy McGill Willard, Mark McGill, Julie McGill Bauman, Eric Lawson and Patrick Lawson; and eight cherished great-grandchildren, Ryan Rose, Shelby, Savannah and Jameson Willard, Kaylee and Braden Lawson, and Abby and Anna McGill. Vasco was a legend on Blount County area golf courses. He loved the game of golf, but often remarked that it was not the game that he missed, but the joy of playing the game with his friends. Close friends remember his documented and unprecedented feat of a back-to-back double eagle/eagle on two consecutive holes in a Pro Am Golf Tournament at Lambert Acres. In addition to golf, Vasco enjoyed basketball. In the early 1950's, he coached and played on the Gulf Oil Refiners semi-pro basketball team. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, he volunteered as an assistant coach working with his long-time friends Coach Vernon Osborn and Dick Abbott, serving as the team statistician for the Alcoa High School 1959 State Championship Team. Vasco was also recognized in our community for his participation and support of youth sports activities. He co-organized and coached the first Biddy Basketball and Babe Ruth programs in the Alcoa community. Vasco co-chartered the Blount County Boys Club. He also organized the Blount County Junior Golf League, served as the first director of the Blount County Men’s Golf Tournament, and was a charter member of the State Senior Men’s Golf Association. The family wishes to thank the nurses, physicians and care givers at Blount Memorial Hospital and Morningview Transitional Care Center for their kindness during Vasco’s extended stay in their care. They also wish to thank all of Vasco’s friends for their many visits, prayers, love, and support during his illness. The family will receive friends at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral home on Thursday from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Henry Linginfelter and Rev. Bob Lawson officiating. Family and friends will gather at Grandview Cemetery for a graveside service at 10:00 a.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Blount County Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Maryville, Tennessee. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, TN (865) 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com