David Lawson’s honor page when he was inducted into his high school Hall of Fame in 2014:
David Lawson – Class of 1960
“Superlatives describe David Lawson as “BEST”… In his high school years, he was “Most Outstanding Boy”, “Best All Around Senior Boy”, Vice President of the “City Wide” Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club, and Vice President of his Senior Class. Sports awards were 1st Team “All City” and 1st Team “All AA” Football Teams, Co-Captain of the 1959 Football Team, Lettered in Football, Baseball, and Track; Voted “Most” Outstanding Offensive Player, winner of “Thom McAn Academic – Athletic” award, and was named “All” KIL Scholastic – Athlete Player of the Year in 1959. With a 3.96 GPA he was a recipient of an academic – athletic scholarship to Dartmouth College.
While at Dartmouth, David was a running back on the 1962 and 1963 Ivy League Championship teams. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Government (Pre-Law) and Minors in Sociology and Greek and Roman Studies.
David’s natural marketing acumen served him well from the beginning of his working career which started with American Hospital Supply. He has won numerous sales and marketing awards. He is the owner of one patent, two trademarks, and many copyrights. and has started companies in advertising, sports, and children’s fields. His Toy Shop (The Toy Loft) was in Gatlinburg from 1979 – 1982. He also laid out the original marketing plan for what was to become “Cabbage Patch Kids”
David is the Owner and President of Target Advertising with customers in five states and of Patriotic Treasures – a line of patriotic items. He is also the creator of original patriotic art work called “America’s Greatest Treasures”, donated to President George W. Bush for his Presidential Library.
He has served as a board member and President of Rotary Club. board member for Christian Service Board, volunteered and mentored for the Boy’s Club and The Little Light House (home for blind children), served on the Recruiting Committee for Dartmouth College, coached youth sports, namely football, soccer, baseball, and wrestling, Head Coach for several All-Star Teams, Chairman of Ways and Means Committee and Knoxville East High School Alumni Association.
David is married to Cindy Gross Lawson (EHS ’61) and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2014. They have four children and five grandchildren.
On the right, David Lawson is shown presenting his patriotic plaque entitled “America’s Greatest Treasures” to Noah Galloway – the handicapped Army Veteran who finished 3rd on Dancing with the Stars.”