Hugh Lawson Thurlow's Obituary
Hugh Lawson Thurlow (“Lawson”) was born on May 6, 1940, in Dayton, Ohio, and passed away June 18, 2024, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by family. Lawson is one of two children of the late Col. Thomas Lawson Thurlow, aviation pioneer and navigator on the record-setting Howard Hughes’ round-the-world flight in 1938, and Lois Ford Thurlow, a 30-year teacher for Dallas County schools. Lawson is also a great-great grandson of Isaac B. Webb, one of the thirteen pioneer families who settled Farmers Branch, Texas.
Upon his father’s untimely death in 1944, Lawson and his family left their home at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio and returned to his family’s native city of Farmers Branch, Texas, to settle into a new life. After completing high school, Lawson served in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman in Stuttgart, Germany. Upon release from his service, Lawson pursued his dream to become a pilot, sharing his father’s passion for aviation and navigational science. He worked diligently to obtain his certified pilot’s license and his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science at Texas A & M University – Central Campus. Thereafter, Lawson embarked on a 35-year career as a commercial airline pilot, eventually retiring from United Airlines as a captain.
Lawson is survived by his loving spouse of 58 years, Christine Walter Thurlow of Houston, Texas; his four children, Anton, Laura, Stacey and Christina; sons-in-law Justin Pope (Stacey) and John Higgins (Christina), all of Houston, Texas; grandchildren Monica, Rebecca, James, Jeremy, Jennifer, Tiffany Jacob, Julia, Kyle (“BK”), Auburn, Kyle, and Christian; great-grandchildren Alexa, Mitchell, Madison and Caleb; only brother Thomas N. Thurlow, Esq., of Houston, Texas, and a host of devoted family and friends who knew and loved him dearly.
Lawson had a heart and smile as big as Texas. He loved his family and always saw the good in others. He is remembered for his sense of humor, corny dad jokes, and contagious laughter.
Viewing and Rosary will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243.
Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church, 9933 Midway Rd., Dallas, Texas 75220.
A private family graveside service will immediately follow at Lawson’s family cemetery, Webb Chapel Cemetery, 12501 Webb Chapel Road, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), through their website at www.nami.org.
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