A Century on the Fourth: Moweaqua man downplays monumental birthday

“It’s never been a big deal until this year,” Lawton said as he prepares to turn 100. “Then all of a sudden the Fourth of July is a big one.”

In honor of his birthday, the village of Moweaqua has issued a proclamation making it Mr. Lawton Day on July 4. The community is invited to visit him and and his family for an open house celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Moweaqua Community Center, 415 N. Main St.

The Lawton family has admired their patriarch and tried to emulate his lifestyle. “He has the most optimistic attitude of anybody I’ve ever met,” said his son, Kevin Lawton. “Stuff just rolls off his back. He’s just grateful.”

Bob Lawton’s appreciation for others may be the biggest attribution for a long life, his son said. “He is always spending a lot more time thinking of other people than he ever has himself,” Kevin Lawton said. “That’s part of the equation.”

However, Bob Lawton has his own perspective on how to get to 100.

“I just felt like I wouldn’t be sick,” he said. “I very seldom was.”

This July 4 will be spent the same as his other birthdays — out on the golf course with his son and grandchildren. The rest of the family will then gather for a birthday party. “But this year we’re inviting everyone,” Kevin Lawton said about the open house.

Bob Lawton is a good advertisement for the Moweaqua Golf Course.

“He’s been a staple here for years,” said Brad Burcham, director of golf.

Burcham shares the centenarian's love of the sport and hints it might be part of the secret to a long life. “I believe it’s an entire lifestyle and the exercise, both physically and mentally,” he said.

Bob Lawton retired from teaching advanced high school math classes at Moweaqua High School some four decades ago. Two years were spent teaching in American Samoa.

“The subjects he taught in high school helped keep the mental edge,” Burcham said.

Although teaching was his career, Bob Lawton held other jobs, including driving a school bus and working construction during the summer breaks. “He’s really always been a hard worker,” Kevin Lawton said.

The golf course became a focus after retirement. Bob Lawton helped with the creation of the Moweaqua Golf Course nearly 30 years ago. He is still often found playing the first nine holes, an area he helped build.

“We rolled out the grass for the cart paths and built the greens,” he said.

Despite his having had two knee replacement surgeries, he doesn’t blame golf for his medical problems. “Golf doesn’t hurt anything,” he said.

According to his son, Bob Lawton has been reacting to the excitement like he does any other birthday. “He appreciates it, but he’s not wrapped up in it,” Kevin Lawton said. “He is just really the most humble guy.”

With age comes a few physical setbacks. “But he’s super resilient,” Kevin Lawton said about his dad.

After a recent visit to a cardiologist, the senior Lawton was entertained to schedule next year’s appointment. “He said ‘I wonder why he thinks I’ll be here’,” Kevin Lawton said, recounting the conversation with his dad. “I said, ‘I don’t think anybody’s betting against you’.”