Thomas Hunt Lawton died on May 10, 2018 in North Ft. Myers, Florida at the age of 80. Thomas was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on February 15, 1938. He enlisted in the US Army in 1959 and was Honorabley discharged in 1964. Thomas is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 58 years Judith. He is survived by eight loving children; Marsha Daras of West Warwick, RI; Stephen Lawton (Sue) of West Warwick, RI; Nancy Lawton Cronin (Ted) of Springfield, VA; David Lawton (Joyce), of Forestdale, MA; T. Michael Lawton (Kerri) of Greenville, RI; Jennifer Dixon of North Kingston, RI; JoAnna Lawton of West Warwick, RI; and Suzanne Lawton of Cranston, RI. Twenty-five grandchildren and three great grandchildren also survive him. Thomas was the brother of the late George F. (Tory) Lawton, IV, of Braintree, MA and cousin of the late Preston B. Mavor of Windham, ME and the late Ronald T. Mavor of Bridgewater, MA. Thomas was employed for 30 years as a Production Manager at Nyman Manufacturing in East Providence, RI. He then worked 3 years as a Plant Manager at National Pax Corporation in Warwick, RI and then 3 years as a Recruiter for Staffing Solutions in Atlanta, GA before retiring in 2000 and moving to North Ft. Myers, FL. Thomas was a foster parent for the Rhode Island DCYF for 8 years and a member of the following organizations, past and current: RI Chapter of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); North Ft. Myers Elks Lodge # 2742; AARP, NRA, North Ft. Myers Moose Club Lodge # 2199 and American Legion Post # 0040. He was also one of the founders of the Coventry, RI Youth Basketball Association. Thomas leaves a very close-knit family that will carry his many memories and stories on forever! Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association.