Thomas "Thom" Erwin Lawyer

Beloved Husband and Veteran

A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 22 at 8:30 a.m. at East Lawn Memorial Park, 4300 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, for Thomas Erwin Lawyer, who died unexpectedly on August 9 in Elk Grove. He was 77 years old. Pastor Rich Chaffin will officiate. Following the ceremony he will be interred at 10:30 a.m. at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5819 Midway Road, Dixon, with full military honors.

Thom, as he was affectionately known, was born in Upland, California to Bud and Ginny Lawyer. He and his sister Lynda White grew up in Rosamond, California, and Huntington Beach, California.

Thom was drafted during the Vietnam War and proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. After his service, he began a career in marketing and IT operations. He was a patriot and a Christian who read the bible daily. Thom was gifted with a wonderful sense of humor, a thirst for books, a talent for photography and playing bridge, and a healthy appetite for chocolate.

Long after he retired, Thom found great joy in being the go-to guy for technical support for family and friends, as well as mentoring young people interested in the field of computer science.

Thom and his wife Georgia called Elk Grove home for 30 years. No one ever tired of hearing his signature comment - “Swell”. Heartfelt appreciation to the VA Spinal Cord Injury Clinic in Palo Alto, Paralyzed Vets of America, Kaiser Home Health Care Team, and the Veterans Administration In-Home Care Team.

Despite being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1993, Thom remained positive and was an inspiration to many. There aren’t enough words to express his gratitude to the friends who were his ‘arms and legs’ supporting him and Georgia the past 31 years.

His smile and vibrant presence will be greatly missed by his wife Georgia, his mother Virginia, his sister Lynda, and his niece Laura Lowery, and her husband Dan. Thom was preceded in death by his father Bud, his brother-in-law Jim White, and his niece Lesha Houser.

He is also survived by his three children - Thomas, Veronica, and Lisa. Pallbearers are Brad Martin, Philip McDermott, Mike Pieri, Steve Pieri, Derek Tom, Jerry Tom, and Wayne Urbani. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Thom’s name may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/ , 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York, NY 10306.