Eric H. Lawson was born on April 21, 1968 and lived a life full of laughter, love, music, and the great outdoors!  His heart was kind and gentle while his spirit was that of a warrior.  He stood by his family and friends through every celebration or battle.  Not even 100 years would have been enough time with Eric for his friends and family.  In his novel, The Twelve, Justin Cronin wrote, "As long as we remember a person, they're not really gone.  Their thoughts, their feelings, their memories, they become a part of us." We know this to be true.  Eric was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and fought valiantly to stay by the side of his beloved wife, Diane.  She is the love of his life and filled his days with love and laughter. She was by his side nearly from the day they found one another!  She was by his side when his brief, but valiant cancer battle ended on Sunday, August 6, 2023.

Eric is survived by his wife, Diane Lawson and sons, Matt Hemperley, Nate Hemperley with Sam Glover, and Josh Hemperley with Gabrielle Hemperly.  Eric and Diane delighted in their grandchildren, Kaleb, River, Rylee, and Maverick who loved their Pappy to the moon and back.  Eric is also survived by his mother Miriam Lawson of Broadway and his sisters, Linda King of New Market, Susan Higgs of Seattle, and Carol Costanzo of Charlottesville.  He was predeceased by his father Clarence A. Lawson of Broadway.  Eric is survived by Diane's parents Bobby and Pat Mullins and her brother and sister-in-law Mike and Angie Mullins.  Eric's family was his greatest pride and joy. To know Eric was to love him.

The visitation will be at Grandle Funeral Home at 148 E Lee Street in Broadway, Virginia on Saturday, August 12, 2023 from 2 pm to 4 pm.  The family will be there to welcome family and friends.  The graveside service will begin at 4:30 pm at Woods Chapel, 58 Splinter Lane, New Market, VA 22844.