James "Coy" Lawson

James “Coy” Lawson, 79, of Winston Salem, NC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 29, 2023 with his beloved wife, Katie and family by his side. That morning, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease he went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Mr. Lawson was born on April 25, 1944, to Elmer and Brooksie Lawson in Westfield, NC. Coy graduated from Nancy Reynolds High School in 1962. He was a talented athlete, earning a varsity letter in every sport he played. While in school, he met the love of his life, Katie Lynch Lawson.  Their relationship and four children were the foundation for his life, a love of Christ, family, and the outdoors. He was a talented entrepreneur who retired in 2000 after a successful career in the automotive industry. Coy was known for his beautiful smile, sly sense of humor, intense work ethic and kind heart. He was a husband, a father, a brother, a farmer, a friend, a believer in God, a fixer of all things, a sportsman, a philanthropist, a thinker, and a businessman.  An expert with numbers that could outwit any mathematician, while at the same time identifying a single errant blade of grass on a lawn a mile away. He made everyone just a little bit better off than before they met him. But most of all he was known for his love of family.   His entire time on earth, a kaleidoscope of business, farming, sports, and church was centered around providing his wife and loved ones with every possible advantage in life.  He loved to tell stories and every story he told was about his family.   His favorite ones to tell were about his Grandchildren and witnessing their achievement in life, whether that be education, professional accomplishments, or sports. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brothers, David Lawson and Billy Lawson. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 61 years, Katie Lynch Lawson, by four children, Tammy K. Duggins (Derek), Joey W. Lawson, Stephanie L. Gordon (Jeff), Annette L Kozlowski and, and by his grandchildren, Ali Starns (Alan), Trevor Lawson, Taylor Duggins, Cameron Lawson, Hannah Courtney (Patrick), Hunter Gordon, Gabby Kozlowski and Haleigh Kozlowski, and his great granddaughter Vivian Lawson. He is also survived by his sisters, Cindy Miller (David), Geneva Johnson (Jim), Shirley Wright, Sue Sumner (Ron) and brothers Richard Lawson (Barbara), Dean Lawson (Elean) and Terry Lawson (Sue).  Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Jefferson Christian Church with Minister Steve Cook and his grandson, Trevor Coy Lawson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation for family and friends is scheduled from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations can be made to the Joy Ranch Christian Home for Children. 813 Joy Ranch Road, Woodlawn, Virginia, 24381 or to North Carolina Hospice and Palliative Care.