Former Chairman and CEO of FM Global
Barrington – Thomas A. Lawson, 69, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Cathy M. (Smith) Lawson for forty-three loving years, together they would have celebrated forty-four years this August. Born in Danville, Illinois, he was the son of the late John C., Jr. and Joan L. (Risser) Lawson.
Tom was a graduate of Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in safety engineering with a minor in economics. He and his family moved to Rumford, Rhode Island in 2001 and subsequently settled in Barrington. Tom worked for FM Global in Johnston for over forty-three years and retired as the chairman and chief executive officer of the company in 2021.
Tom was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He will be lovingly remembered by all whose lives he has touched over the past sixty-nine years.
Along with his loving wife, Tom leaves a son, William E. Marlow, Jr. and his wife, Rayetta Jackson in Texas; five grandchildren, Nick, Tanner and Kristen Pettet and Kristen’s husband, James, Tanner Shelton, and Kevin “Nick” Terrell, and two great-grandchildren, Carter and Ellie Pettet. Tom was predeceased by his sister, Melodie Lawson.
