Grahame Robert LAWSON
7 August 1938 - 12 December 2000
Grahame, Nana, Beverley

Funeral Service, 15 December 2000

Today's music was chosen by Grahame, Beverley, Adam and Sarah.
Music was important to Grahame, and each selection has a special meaning.

Service conducted by Brother Bob Evans, Salvation Army Chaplain.

Grahame's family wish to thank you for joining us today.

Book of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13

13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
13:3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
13:4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
13:5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
13:6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
13:7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13:8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
13:9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
13:10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
13:11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
13:12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Eulogy

Grahame Robert Lawson was born on 7 August 1938. He was the only son of Doris Irene and James Robert Lawson. Early childhood photographs show a neatly dressed skinny boy with white blonde hair. The family lived in Hamilton South and Grahame went to school in Hamilton and attended church with the family every Sunday morning until the attraction of surfing became too much and he quietly refused to go.

He went to Boys' High and later Cooks Hill High. When he left school he started an apprenticeship on the advice from Vocational Guidance. A miserable time in his life as he hated the job and was tormented daily by the foreman. So he gave up on the apprenticeship - however, he had learned to rewire magnetos, a talent used later in his life.

Grahame's skills were as a communicator which he used when he found a job as a sales representative with a dental supply company, working there for 7 years. By this time the family had bought a newsagency in Wickham where they lived next door to the Albion Pub. A culture shock for a church going family. Grahame developed a lifelong interest in motorcycles at this time and bought a Norton Commander motorcyle which caused a bit of friction between mother and son. The same thing happened when he traded in the practical Simca Station sedan for the Austin Healy Sprite.

Tall and good looking, and an excellent dancer, he enjoyed a busy social life going to the many dances which were a feature of life in the 50s and 60s and spending many hours on the beach or riding his surfboard.

He loved music and learnt piano as a child, trumpet and guitar as a young man and gave lessons on playing the harmonica. He also loved reading, particularly history and the natural world.

His knowledge was extensive: if he couldn't remember something, he knew exactly where to look for it in his vast collection of books. He was able to recall bits of information on just about any subject - thinking at one time of producing a book of 'Useless Knowledge' after amazing his friends relating various pieces of trivia on a long drive to the snow with friends many years ago. Years ahead of his time, he visualised a sport of sliding on the snow on a surfboard - it is now called 'Snowboarding'. He was an 'ideas' man.

Grahame and Bev met on Merewether Beach in 1963. She found him to be loving, humorous, attentive, amusing, talented, interesting and handsome. They married a year later and moved in to a run-down council owned house with a spectacular backyard which overlooked Merewether Beach.

Adam arrived in 1965 and Sarah in 1971. Life was pretty good, with happy family times and a busy social life and getting on with the process of establishing a home and generally enjoying life. He changed jobs and started at Nesca as a Meter Reader.

On 15 December 1979 everything changed forever. Without any warning, Grahame had a heart attack. The heart attack did serious damage to his kidneys and the second heart attack 6 months later triggered the first dialysis experience.

Now 21 years later, his trial has ended. The numerous medical interventions, tests, operations, medications and hospital admissions have taken their toll on Grahame and the family. Living with chronic illness touches everyone.

Despite the ongoing medical problems, Grahame lived his life. Riding 'Raffles' the horse was a popular weekend pastime. He filled the garage with tools and learnt to build things. With his builder's labourer, Bev, they constructed additions to the house and remodeled the bathroom as well as being handy persons for each of their mothers and, more recently, Sarah. Fearless builders, they would have a go at anything, often dissolving into hysterical laughter when things didn't quite work out. Reading from car and motorbike manuals, he completely rebuilt, repaired and did panelbeating on various vehicles. He managed to hold down his job during these years, gaining a promotion to Field Officer at Nesca until he retired in 1996.

It took a special kind of courage to endure 21 years of sickness. Some procedures were painful, uncomfortable, regular, dangerous and dreaded. Going off to work after finishing dialysis late at night was just one example of his strength. The last few weeks have been another.

Grahame had the ability to be optimistic about his future, believing that he could get through and be better for the experience. In the end the struggle was too great.

He was immensely proud of Adam and Sarah and their achievements. Holly and Sam gave him great joy and love. Minni, his beloved little dog, was his constant companion, always looking for a lap to sit on or a bed to get in. A loving father, grandfather and a man who was very good to his mother and mother-in-law as well as being a loving, kind and considerate husband to Bev.

Grahame could be well satisfied with his life.

This eulogy was read by Brother Bob Evans - Salvation Army Chaplain - at Grahame's funeral on 15 December 2000. The day of the funeral marked the 21st anniversary to the day when Grahame suffered his first heart attack in 1979. The eulogy was written by Bev and edited by Sarah and Adam.

Valedictory

Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833-70)

Lay me low, my work is done,
  I am weary. Lay me low,
Where the wild flowers woo the sun,
  Where the balmy breezes blow,
Where the butterfly takes wing,
  Where the aspens, drooping, grow,
Where the young birds chirp and sing-
  I am weary, let me go.

I have striven hard and long
  In the world's unequal fight,
Always to resist the wrong,
  Always to maintain the right.
Always with a stubborn heart,
  Taking, giving blow for blow;
Brother, I have played my part,
  And am weary, let me go.

Stern the world and bitter cold,
  Irksome, painful to endure;
Everywhere a love of gold,
  Nowhere pity for the poor.
Everywhere mistrust, disguise,
  Pride, hypocrisy, and show;
Draw the curtain, close mine eyes,
  I am weary, let me go.

Other chance when I am gone
  May restore the battle-call,
Bravely lead the good cause on
  Fighting in the which I fall.
God may quicken some true soul
  Here to take my place below
In the heroes' muster roll-
  I am weary, let me go.

Shield and buckler, hang them up,
  Drape the standards on the wall,
I have drained the mortal cup
  To the finish, dregs and all;
When our work is done, 't is best,
  Brother, best that we should go-
I am weary, let me rest,
  I am weary, lay me low.

Page created 31 January 2005; last updated 25 May 2005