Sammy B. Lawing, Merritt Island

Sammy B. Lawing, 79, passed away on Friday, December 4, 2009 after an extended illness. Mr. Lawing was born April 6, 1930 in Madison, SC, and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Merritt Island Lodge #353 F&AM, Ex-POW, DAV, and VFW.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean and Vietnam wars, and was a prisoner of war for three years in Korea, being held in Camps #5 and #3 in Pyokpong, China. Mr. Lawing was the recipient of the Bronze Star (3 clusters), two Purple Hearts, Ex-POW, and Meritorious Service Medals.

He retired from Kennedy Space Center, working for Bendix, beginning with the Apollo Missions through the Space Shuttle Program.

His family remembers him as a quiet, caring trustworthy man. Strong, yet gentle, he loved his family and was always sensitive to the needs of other people. He enjoyed gardening, especially flowers, fishing, and camping. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, and as being a soldier who did his job fighting for our country and our freedom.

He was predeceased by his parents, four brothers and five sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Montez P. Lawing; sons, Timothy (Patricia) and Shelby Lawing; daughters, Dolores Chabot and Diana Lawing; four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, December 9th, at the Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home at 1360 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island.

A service will be held afterwards at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel. Burial with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 10th at Brevard Memorial Park. The family would like to thank everyone involved in his long term medical care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Veterans Memorial Center, Sykes Creek Pkwy., Merritt Island or the Wuesthoff Hospice Care Program.