Bruce Carlton Lawson - Redskins #1 Fan

Loudon High School athletics has lost its staunchest supporter and most ardent fan.

Bruce Carlton Lawson died Tuesday at his home. He was 55.

"He was the No. 1 Redskin," said Bill Thompson, Loudon's athletic director and baseball coach. "He's meant so much to all of our sports throughout the years."

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Loudon County Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends following the service from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Loudon High School gymnasium.

Loudon boys' basketball coach Colt Narramore said "Bruce is Loudon."

"You can't talk about Loudon athletics in the last 40 years without talking about Bruce," Narramore said. "He is the most loyal and passionate Loudon fan ever."

Mr. Lawson graduated from Loudon in 1972 and was voted as having "Best School Spirit" by his classmates. Lawson was presented that same year with a trophy from school administrators for being Loudon's "Most Loyal Fan."

Mr. Lawson spent the rest of his life living up to those superlatives.

Mr. Lawson served as a scorekeeper and ace statistician. He even scouted upcoming opponents. He was a walking encyclopedia of Loudon sports knowledge.

Mr. Lawson witnessed more than 500 Loudon football games, according to football coach Jeff Harig.

"If you asked him what was the score of the 1966 Kingston-Loudon game, he'd come up with it," Harig said. "His memory for those games was unmatched."

Harig said Loudon students and faculty are "just shocked" at the death of a man who "was just so loyal and so dedicated to all the sports programs for so many years."

Thompson said most sports teams will honor Mr. Lawson in some fashion. The baseball team is no exception.

"It's kind of ironic," said Thompson, who went to high school with Mr. Lawson. "This year I ordered a sign (to be displayed at the baseball field). Didn't know which player I was going to use it for. Now, it's going to say, 'Bruce, you'll always be with us.' "

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