Barrett Lawrimore Jr. experienced an epiphany soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He'd been an engineer for nearly 30 years, which included a stint working on submarines in Newport News, Va., and employment with various Atlanta firms.
The terrorist attacks, though, got him to thinking about life, its importance. Would he be content with a lifelong career as an engineer?
In 2002, the Charleston, S.C., native took a year off from work to ponder his next career move. He had always been involved with church youths and active with the Boy Scouts, so he decided to become a public schools teacher.
"He didn't know where God was going to place him, but some of the young people told him he'd make a great teacher," said Carol, his wife of 35 years. "He went back to school, got his credits and teacher certification and became a high school teacher."
In March, Barrett Swayne Lawrimore Jr. was diagnosed with clear cell renal cancer, which he died from Saturday at his home in Grayson. He was 56. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Norcross First United Methodist Church. He will be buried at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Waccamaw Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bucksport, S.C. Tim Stewart Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In 1979, the Lawrimores moved to metro Atlanta when he was hired by a firm now dissolved. He spent 25 years in the engineering field until life changed completely after 9/11. The educator taught business at Lilburn's Berkmar High for seven years and landed a gig as a high school math instructor when the couple moved to Grayson.
This teacher would tell students that no one ever stops learning, and that everyone would have to work. He understood that not every student was college-bound, but ensured they learned money management and survival math skills regardless. One assignment required students to create a business, then figure out how to run it.
When it came to lifelong learning, Mr. Lawrimore led by example. He held an undergrad engineering degree from Clemson and a business master's degree from Georgia State University. At the time of his demise, he was enrolled in a doctorate program in workforce education at the University of Georgia. He was working on his dissertation proposal.
"He was in the beginning of the home stretch," said Dr. John Schell, a retired UGA professor who had Mr. Lawrimore in several of his classes. "He was a great student and he always pushed the envelope, which I really appreciated. He was open to new ideas and ways of thinking. Some changed his life."
Mrs. Lawrimore believes her husband would have taught high school a few more years.
"But I think he would have liked to have taught at the collegiate level, too."
Additional survivors include a son, Daniel Lawrimore of Lilburn; a mother, Marilyn Lawrimore, and a brother, Edmond Lawrimore, both of Charleston, S.C.; a sister, Karen Wolla of Arlington, Va.; and one grandson.
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