Newspaper Article 1999 – Man of many talents dies, aged 92

Man of many talents dies, aged 92

OBITUARY

Jim Lawson, who died last Sunday aged 92, will be remembered by many in Havelock North as the man who worked magic with wood.

Tucked away in his garage workshop at his home in Lucknow Road, before moving into Waiapu House, Mr Lawson could be found making grandfather clocks, cabinets and knick-knacks.

He was also gifted in making model ships –  a passion he had had since early childhood, due to his father being in the Navy.

Mr Lawson was born in England and educated at an elite co-educational private school in Hampshire. He moved to New Zealand with his family of eight in 1927.

Having embarked on an agriculture degree, Mr Lawson worked as a farm cadet in New Zealand before returning to England where he farmed for 25 years.

He operated shearing gangs in Britain which comprised mainly young New Zealanders on their overseas experience, and had a family of three children, his son Neale and two daughters Joy and Frances.

In the 1960s Mr Lawson returned to New Zealand to live and married his wife Betty.

It was on his return to New Zealand that he decided to make a living out of his hobbies. His grandfather clocks were sought after throughout Hawke’s Bay.

Mr Lawson helped form a Havelock North-based Gilbert and Sullivan opera group which became very popular.

His niece, Malvina Jones, said he was a real people person who poured heaps of enthusiasm into anything he did.

Mr Lawson is survived by his wife Betty, in Havelock North, and his three children, eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, who are all based in England.

Photo  caption –  JIM LAWSON