Beloved Jamaican lawyer Lawson Crawford laid to rest

LAWSON JOHN CRAWFORD, born October 6, 1973 to Vivian Crawford, former executive director of the Institute of Jamaica, and his wife, Carva, made his transition on July 6, 2024 in London, England. He also predeceased his sister, Sheena.

The attorney-at-law who studied at The University of the West Indies’(UWI) Mona and Cave Hill campuses (through a scholarship), and the Norman Manley Law School at Mona, Jamaica, earned a Master of Law degree from the University of Cambridge, UK, also by way of a scholarship. His academic foundation started at Fay Simpson Prep School, Wolmer’s Prep School, St Richard’s Primary School and Campion College where he was deputy head boy.

A service of thanksgiving was held on Saturday, September 24 inside The University Chapel on the Mona campus of The UWI. The occasion was a musical affair, for Crawford loved music and was involved in the Anglican Church. In addition to the songs, including Let My Prayer (by Vivian Crawford, a veteran musician himself), sung during the service and at the graveside, and sometimes led by The Diocesan Festival Choir, which soared with the Revival piece, Fly Away Home by Noel Dexter, there were outstanding instrumental pieces.

Lance Smith shrilled Gramps Morgan’s People Like You with the trumpet. Gregory Nicholson was sublime with his flute rendition of Eres tu (Mocedades). Dr Tracey-Ann Brown-Bisnott hypnotised with Echoes from Ancestral Worship on drums, while Audley Davidson, director of music for the occasion, pulled out all the stops on the organ with The New World solo by Dvorak.

Musical tributes came from the Jamaica Youth Chorale, conducted by Cedron Walters with I Will Lift My Eyes (Jake Runestad) and Rock-a-my Soul (Stacey V. Gibbs). and the gathering receded the chapel with Three Little Birds by Bob Marley, arranged by Cleyve Bowen and Audley Davidson.

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‘Memories of Uncle Lawson’ were recalled by nephew Basil Perriel; Celia Brown and Dave Garcia read the remembrance, while Christopher Kelman, managing partner, Myers, Fletcher & Gordon (MFG) moved a tribute, which says, among other things, “On behalf of the partners and staff of both the Kingston and London offices of Myers Fletcher & Gordon, I would like to begin by extending heartfelt condolences to Vivian and Carva Crawford, Sheena and Basil, and Kaela and Basil John.

“Lawson first came on the radar of MFG in 1995 as a law student at The University of the West Indies when, auspiciously, he became the first awardee of the recently established Frank L. Myers Scholarship, donated by MFG and named in honour of one of our founding partners. He subsequently joined the Kingston office on September 1, 1998 as an associate attorney and was assigned to our commercial department.

“Lawson’s development was rapid and he showed signs from early of the first-class lawyer he was to become. Thoughtful and learned in the law, he set high, exacting standards for himself and was unrelenting in his quest to get it right the first time. Though by nature modest, he was unapologetic about what he considered to be right because he was a principled man, and uncompromising on matters of principle.”

And, prior to the Mona Chapel service, one was held at St Paul’s Knightsbridge London on July 30. Dr Anne Lane, CEO, University College London (UCL), Business Limited, was one of the people who moved tributes on that occasion. She and two others of Crawford’s former colleagues attended the Mona service. Five of the tributes, including Dr Lane’s, from St Paul’s were printed in the Mona programme booklet.

“Lawson was legal director and company secretary at UCL Business for nine years … He brought such a sense of style and class to work, and the funny stories about him that people have been able to recount, even through their sorrow, show the huge effect he had on everyone. We are heartbroken that he has gone, but we will never forget what a positive force he was; stylish, funny, warm, and witty, we were lucky to have him,” Dr Lane says in parts.

Jennifer Scott, director, Dulwich Picture Gallery, writes, “Lawson served on the board of trustees and the Enterprise Board of Dulwich Picture Gallery from December 2020. From the moment he joined the gallery, he was a constant support, cheering us on and giving balanced and wise advice … His gentle manner and amazing smile radiated an inspiring, optimistic energy. The only consolation in our profound sorrow at the loss of him is the joyful thought that we were blessed to have him at all.”

Some of Lawson’s international friends in London have written: “Your kindness and compassion were unparalleled. You had a heart of gold and a genuine interest in the wellbeing of your friends. John, you were a class act. We will all miss your infectious laugh, the fun we all had at endless parties, the holidays we shared together and the warmth and laughter you brought to all occasions. Your memory will forever be etched in our hearts.”

Floral tributes for the chapel were done by the Jamaica Horticultural Society’s Celia Jackson and Christine Williams, while the casket piece made of endemic flora of Jamaica, Portlandia and palm, was arranged by Audreanne Davis.

Lawson John Douglas was put to eternal rest in Dovecot Memorial Park, St Catherine.