Lawson

Luke Albert Lawson, 32, formerly of Jefferson Township and Saxonburg, passed away unexpectedly Thursday at his home in Bluffton, S.C.

Born Nov. 27, 1978, in Butler, he was the son of Edgar and Sara June Baker Lawson.

Luke graduated in 1997 from Knoch High School and in 2001 from Indiana (Pa.) University with a major in finance and minors in economics and accounting. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Luke excelled as an assistant property manager of beach properties of Hilton Head Island for the past two years. Previous employment in the hospitality and banking industries included the Weston Resort, the Holiday Inn Oceanfront Resort, Tiki Hut, One Hot Mama's, Myrtles, Savannah Bank and Atlantic Savings Bank.

Luke always will be remembered for his vibrant contagious smile and his warm kindness. He had an extremely generous heart and was always willing to help others even if it meant making personal sacrifices for himself.

Luke was the youngest of eight siblings and is survived by his parents, Edgar Lawson and Sara June Baker Lawson of Butler; brothers and sisters, Patricia (William) Singer of Butler, Ginger (Paul) Harbison of Connoquenessing, Paul (Robin) Lawson of Butler, Barbara (Tim) Yates of Taipei, Taiwan, Mark (Joy) Lawson of Bluffton, S.C., Samuel (Amy) Lawson of Butler and Becca Lawson of Manila, Philippines; many aunts, uncles and cousins; 23 nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Stella.

Besides his family, Luke leaves behind many friends who loved him dearly and will miss him forever.

<B>LAWSON</B> — Friends of Luke Albert Lawson, who died Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at <B>Fox Funeral Home</B>, 410 W. Main St., Saxonburg. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. George Miller officiating. Interment will follow in the Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery.There will be a memorial and celebration of life from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Palmetto Dunes Conference Center on Hilton Head Island, S.C.Memorial donations may be made to Programs for Exceptional People, 10 Oak Park Drive, Box 2, Hilton Head Island, SC 9926, www.pephhi.org.; or to the Presbyterian Church USA, P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 Acct. D506657, in support of Becca Lawson’s work.Information also is available at www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.