Lawson’s story…. 

We would like to tell you about our son and brother, Lawson Wherry. Lawson was a kindhearted, loving, and adventurous young man. Lawson never missed an opportunity to hunt, fish, play golf or spend time  with his family and friends. Lawson was an athlete competing in basketball, soccer, baseball, football,  and he was an accomplished water skier. His true love was being on the water - lake life and Lawson  went hand in hand. Not only was Lawson accomplished in many areas, most importantly he had a big heart and knew how to be a friend to many.  His friendships have blessed him and us with  so many people who love him.  

On October 4th, 2019 we received a call from North East Arkansas Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro around 2:00.  Lawson (a senior at Arkansas State) was brought into the hospital in critical  condition. We jumped in our car right away, rushing, praying, yet little did we know he had already  passed away. After the initial shock and panic, the ER doctor asked if Lawson had complained of pain or  shown signs of anything lately. There was nothing out of the ordinary. The doctor said he looked totally  healthy, and it was his belief Lawson’s heart just stopped like when an athlete suddenly dies on the field or court. The next few days were a whirlwind: after waiting for days to have his body returned to  Memphis, his service was held on October 10th. Almost 1,600 people attended his funeral - a testimony  of Lawson’s legacy.  

The medical examiner ruled out possibilities, the toxicology report was clean, and aside from an  enlarged heart (which is normal for an athlete) he appeared very healthy. The medical examiner  believed a genetic test may provide the last possible answer. After three longs months, we finally had  the answer: Lawson had a gene, MYBPC3, in which one of the symptoms is sudden death.  

We have always felt fortunate to have two healthy sons. Aside from the early childhood illnesses such  as ear infections and a sport induced injury here and there, both boys were always healthy. Never  would we imagine Lawson was carrying around a life-threatening gene that could stop his heart. 

Project Adam affiliate programs advocate for access to AEDs and CPR training in schools and communities.  The night Lawson passed away he was not on an athletic field or court; he was at a friend’s house to  watch Halloween movies. We understand most do not have access to AED’s in their homes.  But, if this had happened while he was on an athletic field or court, we believe CPR along with an AED could have saved his life.  This could have happened while he was playing intramural football two weeks before or as he played  football for Christian Brothers High School a few short years earlier.  

We want to share Lawson’s story to raise awareness and, in the hope, prevent another family from living through this tragedy.  Your child, young adult  son or daughter could seem totally healthy and have a sudden cardiac arrest. Through Lawson's Legacy, LeBonheur' s affiliate chapter with Project Adam, we hope to increase awareness of the signs of cardiac  arrest, offer training for emergency situations, and help the cause to have AEDs available. We cannot  save our son and brother, but we hope to help save someone else’s.