Herbert A. Lawton

Herbert Alexander Lawton Jr., 70, of Toppa Boulevard, Newport, R.I., died Tuesday, March 8, 2005. Husband of late Jane Richardson Lawton, father of Jeffrey Lawton of Locust Valley, NY and Elizabeth Lawton of Richmond, CA, and grandfather of Matthew and Alexander Lawton of New York. Fianc of Marie J. Maguire of Newport, RI.Born in Newport, RI to Herbert A and Mae McGown Lawton. Graduated from Rogers High School, Class of 1952 and Wesleyan University, Class of 1956.A lifelong member of Trinity Church, Mr. Lawton served in many capacities as property manager, junior warden, a commission member for the formation of Trinity Cemetery and later as its superintendent, member of the vestry for over twenty years, member of its first Goals Commission, and responsible for the 1983-87 Trinity Preservation Committee restructuring and rehabilitation of the church building. He attended the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School and served in the US Navy active duty from 1957 until 1960 including an assignment on the USS Brough. He served in the Naval Reserve from 1960 until 1987. During that time he served on a Minesweeper as Executive Officer for the USS Turkey and USS Falcon. He then served as Chief of Staff and Crew Administrator of the Harlan Dickson, and as Commodore of Mine Division 121. He also spent over 10 years at the US Naval War College Reserve War Gaming Unit. He retired with the rank of Captain from the US Naval Reserve in 1987. Mr. Lawton served as Chairman of the Newport District, District Chairman and District Commissioner of the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America from 1963 to 1972. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 3, Newport RI from 1972 to 1976. He was a recipient of the Silver Beaver award for ?Outstanding Service to Boys?, and as an Eagle Scout was a member of the National Eagle Scout Association.In 1973 he was appointed to the City of Newport Planning Board and served as its chairman from 1986 until his retirement in 1992. In his capacity as chairman, he guided the development of Newport?s Comprehensive Plan, and concurrently was an initial delegate and first chairman to the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission formed in 1985. Upon his retirement, the City Council proclaimed a Herbert A Lawton Jr. Day citing his ?18 years of dedicated public service in guiding development within the City of Newport.? He has been an active member of the Lions Club of Newport since 1960 serving in various offices including president. He was also an active participant in the Lions Gaslight Key Club for many years, the school eye screening program, and the annual Soap Box Derby. He was twice awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award by the Lions Club International Foundation for dedicated humanitarian services.A service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 10:00 am in Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport. A private burial will take place in Trinity Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Herbert A Lawton, Jr. Memorial Fund, Trinity Church and the Newport Lions Blind Trust Fund, Lions Club of Newport, Box 695, Newport, RI 02840.