James Robert Lawson, 74, died Saturday, February 28 th in Park Ridge, Il, after a brief illness. Jim grew up in Queen of Angles Parish in the Lincoln Square neighborhood at a time when Chicago was divided as much by parish as by neighborhood. He served as an altar boy, was quarterback on his 8 th grade football team, and played center field for the Gordon Tech baseball team. (class of 1968). After graduating from Gordon, he attended DePaul University, and earned a bachelor's degree in management, before following his uncle into pipefitter's local 597 where he was a journeyman for 17 years, before an injury eventually forced him to retire. In his late 30's he learned how to use a computer and transitioned to the office side of construction working as a mechanical estimator, a purchasing agent, and a site supervisor. Jim was as comfortable in his work boots as he was in his office loafers and able to speak the language of the worker as well as the manager. He married his first and only love, Elisabeth Groëning, on December 11, 1971 at the age of 20. They had known each other since June of 1968, when they first met at Wells Park. It was the romance of a lifetime. Jim and Lis moved to Park Ridge in 1979 to the house where they would raise their children, and eventually, watch their grandchildren and learn about YouTube influencers and Peppa Pig and teach them about The Andy Griffith Show. Jim enjoyed being involved in all manner of sporting and social activities. His teams were where he made friends that lasted beyond time at the park. He coached women's 16 inch softball, Park Ridge youth baseball, and Park Ridge youth football. With his brother-in-law, he coached football for 20ish years. He enjoyed working with kids first learning the sport, instilling the fundamentals, and designing defenses to win games where they didn't officially keep score. His final years found him travelling, spending time with his grandchildren, and carousing with his wine club. Jim is survived by his wife Elisabeth, sons James Jr. (Kimberly Jansen) and Eric (Heather), and daughter Laura (Doug) Larsen, 6 grandchildren (Julia, Douglas, Natalie, Charlotte, Aly and Emma) his brother Stephen (Twinkle), nieces and nephews (Tim, Michelle, Nicole, Jenny and Joseph) Jim was able to achieve his lifelong dream of seeing the Cubs win a world series in 2016. Jim will be deeply missed by all that knew him and loved him.

A visitation will be held on Thursday March 5th, at 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Cooney Funeral Home, 525 Busse Hwy. Park Ridge, IL. 60068. Funeral will be held Friday March 6th 9:30 prayers at Cooney Funeral Home. Mass 10:00a.m. St. Paul Of The Cross Catholic Church. Private interment will take place at a Town of Maine cemetery at a later date