EASLEY- Dixie Lumber Company owner and devoted member of Easley First Baptist Church, James McCrorey “Mac” Lawton, died at his home on Sunday.
Lawton was a youth leader at First Baptist, Easley for more than 15 years and was honored in 2012 with South Carolina’s Order of the Silver Crescent for lifetime service to others.
Lawton founded the 567 Club for Boys, and “The Ride for M.A.C.” (Mission Action Challenge) which is a charity event for the youth program.
He is also a 1968 graduate of Clemson University and served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
“Only a few people come around that have as much influence on a community that Mac did. He went about it in his own way, a quiet way, did tremendous things that people didn’t know he was doing. He was never interested in publicity. It was all about everyone else,” said Easley Mayor Larry Bagwell.
Bagwell discussed the personal influence Mac had on his life.
“He certainly had an impact on my life in the time I got to know him. He was a friend and you always knew that he was there if you needed something,” Bagwell said.
He also spoke of Mac’s dedication to the community.
“Every community has to have someone to help it move along and Mac was certainly one of those who took a keen interest in his community. He loved Easley’s small atmosphere, but he was also aware that to grow, you have to continue to try and improve yourself, and not only physically and economically, but spiritually,” Bagwell said. “He had a great impact in all of those aspects for his community.”
Jon Adams, pastor of Easley First Baptist expressed his sentiments of Lawton.
“Mac was devoted, committed, outgoing, multi-talented, and surrendered to Jesus. Around Mac, you felt safe. Around Mac, you felt loved, and he exemplified that every believer should have a mission to the world and a ministry within the church,” Adams said.
Adams talked about Lawton’s role at First Baptist, Easley, and his commitments to the church.
“In our church, Mac was known for his love for music and he loved to sing in the choir. Mac also loved to teach the word of God. His Sunday school classes were phenomenal,” Adams said. “Many of his class members ended up being Sunday school teachers.”
Adams also talked of the 567 Club and Lawton’s devotion to the program.
“That is a club for middle school and high school young men who really have a dilemma and are part of the fatherless generation. Mac Lawton was at our church every Tuesday night leading this club. They did homework, played basketball. They would have devotional, and they would share a meal,” Adams said. “Many of the students’ lives had been changed because they believed there was one man who loved them.”
Post a Comment
