Thomas Lawlor

Thomas Raymond Lawlor was born June 25th, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA to Thomas Enos Lawlor and Margaret Olive (Richardson) Lawlor. He went to school in Washington, D.C. at St Gabriel's grade school, St. Anthony's H.S. and Central H.S. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948. He was first stationed in Brunswick, Georgia too Attack Squadron 35. He turned 18 years old on June 25, 1950 in Leghorn, Italy, which was also the start of the Korean War. After four months in the Japanese Sea, the squadron was then transferred to Sanford, Florida. This is where his love story began. He met his bride-to-be at the Sanford USO, where she sat on his arm "accidentally." He departed for Gitmo, Cuba for six weeks where they continued to communicate by mail. Upon his return to Sanford and after a long 8-day courtship, he knew Autha was the one for him. He proposed and Autha said YES. They were married Febuary 2, 1952 at what is now All Souls Historic Chapel. They bought their first house in Sanford, Florida. They continued their married life as Tom served in the military. They moved from Florida to Bermuda, Virginia, and then to Hawaii With in this span the first four children Sheilah, Tim, Mike and Kathy were born. They settled in California when Tom was transferred to Air Transport Squadron Eight at Moffett Field as a Flight Engineer in May 1962. The remainder of their children, Mary, Patty, Tom and Steve, were born in California. Tom retired from the military after 20 years of service as a Chief Petty Officer March of 1968. As a civilian, he worked at Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department as a deputy sheriff. Tom belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He was 4th degree, past Grand Knight and part of the Color Guard. Tom's passions were His Catholic faith, his family, friends, military, country and traveling. He leaves a legacy of love, faithfulness and family and is survived by his wife of 63 years Autha. Their children and spouses, 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Tom's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org or to the Sanford/Oviedo Crisis Pregnancy Center, 1002 French Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771 http://www.sanfordcpc.com/get-involved

Thomas Lawlor

June 25, 1932 - November 18, 2015