A resident at Cypress Village recently celebrated his 101st birthday.
Larry Lawson grew up in Celeryville, Ohio, and joined the Marines after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. During his time in the Marines, Lawson fought in World War II in the jungles of the Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal), northeast of Australia. While there, Lawson took a leave to Australia, where he met Elwyn Singleton, who was a member of the Australian Air Force, and who became Lawson’s wife of 68 years. During his many assignments, he was promoted to corporal and then to sergeant. After the war, Lawson returned to the U.S., where he worked with his mother in her greenhouse and flower shop in Ohio, and he became a floriculturist as he and Elwyn grew the business.
Lawson also became a civic leader. He was exalted ruler of the Elks, the president of the Lions Club and a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Masonic Order.
He has a son in Cleveland, and a daughter in Jacksonville.
Lawson and Elwyn eventually settled in Ponte Vedra Beach, and moved to Cypress Village eight years ago, before Elwyn passed away two years later. Last year, for Lawson’s 100th birthday, a large group of his local friends and his wife’s family from Australia came for his celebration.
Lawson is an avid reader and can often be seen in the exercise room working out. He bowls frequently and plays billiards with his friends. Lawson enjoys good health, has never had any replacements or transplants and survived cancer 20 years ago. He knows that God has taken good care of him during his whole life. He is thankful and proud of his accomplishments, heritage and family. He lost many buddies and does not think or talk about his combat experiences. He is very happy to see fewer jungles and more flower gardens.
