Lawson Withers Turner III

Lawson Withers Turner III, known by many of his closest friends as "Brother," passed away unexpectedly on September 2, 2022, after an accident that led to heart failure. He was 75 years old. Lawson was born at Lynchburg, Va., to the late Lawson Withers Turner, Jr., and Frances Norfleet Moses. Lawson was very proud of his family history and felt blessed to have been born into one of the First Families of Virginia (FFV). One of the most impactful people in his life was his paternal grandmother, (Lucile) ‘Cile Barrow Turner. She was a well-known and highly regarded composer, historian, folklorist, and performer. She recorded several albums, gained national recognition as the star of a weekly radio program on NBC, and was a sought-after performer throughout her career. He always cherished his time with her and learned so many positive lessons about life and love from her. His paternal grandfather, Lawson Withers Turner, Sr., was the Founder and President of N&W Industries, a denim overall manufacturer that later sold to Levi Strauss & Co. He also owned and operated Old Elkton Farm, a 600-acre farm at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Lynchburg, where he raised pedigreed cattle. A consummate historian, Lawson loved that the farm was neighbor to what was previously Thomas Jefferson's family farm. Lawson's maternal grandfather was C. Hamilton Moses, who served as Secretary to three Arkansas governors prior to becoming General Counsel, President, and Chairman of the Board of Arkansas Power & Light, as well as the namesake for Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Ark. Lawson's father, Lawson Withers Turner, Jr., died at an early age but was a Captain in the United States Army during World War II, serving for some time as aide-de-camp to General George S. Patton. His mother, Frances Norfleet Moses, was a striking beauty who was once featured in Life Magazine for her role as Color Girl in the Presentation of Colors at the 1939 U.S. Naval Academy graduation. Lawson moved from Lynchburg, Va., to Lonoke, Ark., as a child. As a teenager, he attended preparatory school in Virginia, first at Woodberry Forest and then at Virginia Episcopal at Lynchburg, where he excelled as both a student and athlete. He served as Team Captain of the V.E.S. track team and was deemed the best hurdler in the state at the time. He graduated having set new records in both the high and low hurdles, as well as the half-mile relay. After V.E.S., and despite being offered a scholarship from Wake Forest University, Lawson returned to Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he continued his track career. While at the University, he was elected Freshman Class President and joined Sigma Chi fraternity, where he also ultimately served as President. It's been rumored that he hosted many late-night poker parties and rode his motorcycle up the outside steps and right through the front door on occasion. After college, Lawson attended Law School at Washington & Lee University at Lexington, Va., where he was elected as the Law School President. After attaining his Juris Doctorate, he practiced law in Lynchburg for four years before returning to Arkansas to accept a role as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Lonoke County. He and his then wife Sandy eventually moved to Little Rock, where he continued to practice law specializing in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, litigation, asset securitization, and eventually consumer receivables collections. An entrepreneur at heart, he later established multiple receivables collections companies, including one of the largest collection agencies in the country for Federal Express. A self-described "deal doer," Lawson's list of business ventures spanned far and wide over more than five decades. His legal and business success, combined with his engaging personality also garnered him multiple requests to run for public office, but the invitations were always politely declined. Of all his business dealings, Lawson suggested that one of his most rewarding "spare-time" jobs was as a life skills teacher for prisoners at the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He loved helping the inmates prepare for life after incarceration and joked that it "never hurt to have a few good convict friends." Lawson was an explorer and adventurer in both his professional and personal life. He loved to visit remote venues in South America, the Middle East, and the West Indies, teasing that he once considered accepting an offer to trade his wife Sandy for a camel in Egypt. Notwithstanding his love of travel across the globe, he was most at peace in the mountains of North Carolina and at his home in Little Rock overlooking the Arkansas River. Described by many as handsome, intelligent, debonair, charming, and funny, Lawson had a hearty appetite for life. He had a magnetic energy that attracted friends and lit up a room. He loved to dance, whether with a beautiful woman or all by himself. He could shag, swing, jive, gator, tap, and of course, perform his signature move, the James Brown-inspired Mashed Potato. He was also a die-hard Razorback fan. He never missed watching a game and adorned the same red ripped polo shirt for good luck during games for what may have been half his life. He had very high expectations for the 2022 season (so the Hogs better not disappoint!). He was a true Southern gentleman who never failed to hold a door open or stand when a lady entered the room. He always practiced perfect table etiquette and never left home without being impeccably dressed, most typically in a blue blazer, monogrammed shirt, and penny loafers. He was a life-long learner who satiated his craving for knowledge by reading historical nonfiction books. He was a mentor to many and a loyal friend who nurtured deep, lifelong friendships. As his friends and family can attest, the stories of Lawson's adventures in life are many and include some perhaps a little too sensational to memorialize in print, but everyone who knew him knows he had a tremendous zest for life, a gigantic heart, and generous spirit that left a lasting impression that we will never forget. Above all his many talents, accomplishments, adventures, and experiences, Lawson was proudest to be a father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He cherished his daughters, their husbands, and his grandchildren more than anything in the world. He never let a day go by without telling them so. While they will deeply miss him and forever appreciate him, they take comfort in knowing that he will forever remain in their hearts and memories. They are also convinced that heaven will be much livelier and more fun now that he has arrived. Lawson is survived by two daughters Mary, Frances Turner Isakov of Severna Park, Md., and Jane Withers Turner Bolin of Austin, Texas; as well as four grandchildren, Michael Alexander Isakov, Elizabeth Anne Isakov, Lawson Turner Bolin, and Barrow Wynne Bolin. He is additionally survived by three siblings, Mary Moses Turner Sours of Chico, Calif., William Hastings Bransford, IV of Little Rock, Ark., and Frances Beth Bransford of Chico, Calif. He is predeceased by his parents; and half-sister, Lucile Barrow Turner James. A funeral service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery at 2801 Asher Avenue, Little Rock, Ark., on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 3 p.m., followed by a reception at the Country Club of Little Rock. Arrangements are being handled by Ruebel Funeral Home. The family would especially like to express appreciation for all of Lawson's devoted friends who surrounded him in the hours leading up to his passing, as well as the outstanding medical staff at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com