Tom Lawson changed us for the better

Tom Lawson was retired when he returned to Poplar Bluff in 1988.

He had already spent a career in education when he and his wife, Jeane, were called home to care for their parents.

“I hope that I can help my hometown,” Lawson told his wife, of his plans for when they settled.

Can any of us imagine what our community might look like now without Lawson’s impact?

He became a driving force first for the passage of a one-half cent capital improvement tax, at the request of then-city manager Jim Moss. This fund today is paying for the city’s new police department, and has helped pay for everything from the Black River Coliseum to new police and fire trucks.

It was January 1991 when Lawson stepped in as city manager, as Moss retired.

This was when the Coliseum project, and additions to the library and city golf course began to take shape.

Lawson remained city manager until August 2003, working on those and other city needs.

He also volunteered his time with the Three Rivers College scholarship foundation, United Gospel Rescue Mission board and Poplar Bluff Housing Authority board.

He was brought onto the Highway 67 Coalition board in 2004.

Its original goal was to see 50 miles of highway north of Poplar Bluff upgraded to a safer four-lane route, which would also bring economic growth.

The coalition is now tasked with helping make upgrades as part of future Interstate 57.

The infrastructure growth has brought new retail and industry, bringing both money and jobs to the community.

Lawson was a fixture in this effort, leading the way.

“Why would the important organization and individuals come together to spend $180 (million), especially since not one ounce of concrete was poured within the City of Poplar Bluff… while the city was prepared to contribute $60 (million) for one-half of the construction costs to the 50 mile project?” Lawson wrote in 2020, about the Highway 67 north project. “Because of safety and economic development. This project is positively impacting lives relative to traveling and to jobs — economically. Waiting for (the Missouri Department of Transportation) to four-lane with normal funding would have taken many years without the cooperative help by the citizens of Poplar Bluff and the other major contributors.

“Also, the city of Poplar Bluff was anxious to see improvement in safety and the economy of the area sooner than would have been possible.”

The Highway 67 improvements have been funded by a sales tax approved by voters starting in 2005.

Even after handing the reigns of the Highway 67 Corporation over to Bill Robison, Lawson continued to champion the cause and call on others to give their support.

“We must continue to support our current Highway 67/I-57 Board led and chaired by Bill Robison — all who are interested and very qualified to serve our community needs — and, I believe, eventually bring even more success to Poplar Bluff, Butler County, Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas,” Lawson said in 2020.

Lawson was proud of the changes the community has seen in the last 35 years and so are we.

He was quick to highlight those who had come before and continued to lead those efforts.

We are grateful to all of those individuals involved in the community.

“Thanks to the work ethic and cooperation of our citizens of Poplar Bluff, the members of our city council, city employees, Butler County officials and staff, Poplar Bluff city police, Butler County sheriffs, Municipal Utilities, city maintenance, Butler County maintenance, Ozark Border Electric, area churches — Protestants, Catholics and Lutherans, which proudly serve Christianity and our community — our public and private schools, Three Rivers College and the Daily American Republic – editor, publisher and staff. Finally, most important of all, In God We Trust!” Lawson said in a letter he shared with the DAR.

We, and many in our community, know Lawson’s involvement was a critical part of our region’s success.

In Lawson’s words, “We continue to be BLESSED by the ‘good’ of our community.”

His is a legacy that has changed the face of our community.