Charles "Charlie" Armstrong Lawton

Charles “Charlie” Armstrong Lawton

Charles “Charlie” Armstrong Lawton, age 86, of Harrisburg, and formerly of Brooklyn, New York, passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2022.  Charlie was born on Monday, May 4, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York to the late Charles Andrew Lawton and Ann (Armstrong) Lawton.  In addition to his parents, Charlie is preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth “Betty Ann” Benzinger.

Charlie’s survivors include his loving companion and wife of 35 years, Sandra “Sandy” (Tate) Lovell; his four children: Richard “Rick” Charles Lawton and his wife, Terry, of Parkesburg; Mary “Kim” Kimberly Martz and her husband, Kenneth “Ken”, of Eagleville; Kelly Ann Lawton of Tennessee; Christopher “Chris” Patrick Lawton of West Virginia; his four grandchildren: Lacey Lawton, Zachary Lawton, Meredith Martz, Kendall Lawton; and several nieces and nephews.

Charlie graduated from Manual High School in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Rippon College, Brooklyn College and New York University.  He served in special forces and as a communications specialist from 1958 until 1962 in the United States Air Force, during which time he saw combat, was wounded, and was stationed in France, Germany, Spain and Africa.  He obtained his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) certificate, and worked for the INA Corporation as an insurance executive for most of his career, then ultimately retired from Zurich Insurance, after years of service working as a risk engineer.  Charlie liked to help others and enjoyed mentoring in business.  He was a member of both the American Legion Post 272 – Linglestown and the Knights of Columbus, the latter of which he enjoyed going on golf outings with in Myrtle Beach.  Charlie enjoyed sports.  He loved cheering on the New York Giants and the Penn State football team, and had a passion for golf; he was an avid golfer.  He was very social and, although it was dry, had a great sense of humor.  Family was extremely important to Charlie, and his children and grandchildren were the highlight of his life.  Charlie will be greatly missed, but his warmth, kindness, and loving spirit will be remembered.

All are welcome to join Charlie’s family at gathering of family and friends on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:15 p.m. at Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.  Charlie’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Buhrig’s Gathering Place (next to the funeral home) immediately following the service.  Cremation was private.

The family sends their most heartfelt thanks to the EMT’s of Lower Paxton and Susquehanna Townships who so patiently transported Charlie to the hospital on multiple occasions the past few years.

Contributions in celebration of Charlie’s life can be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178, www.chop.edu; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.StJude.org/Donate.

Charlie’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Charlie’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.