[V] Gerald L. "Jerry" Lawlis, beloved older brother of active SDCer Tom Lawlis, passed away early Monday morning, March 24, following an especially rough battle with cancer; two days after his 70th birthday. Jerry's is an example of a life-long modest Studebaker interest that has a significant ramification for SDC today, although it certainly couldn't have been predicted almost 50 years ago.
Jerry's younger brother Tom was riding his bicycle as a youngster on Indianapolis' west side in early summer 1960. Tom spotted what proved to be a genuine 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk 400 on a gas station lot, a rarity in that it was a solid color, Inca Gold. Tom was too young to buy it, but pedalled his bike home as fast as he could to tell his older brother Jerry about it. Jerry was old enough to drive, so they together returned to the gas station and Jerry bought it.
That 400 well served the family for many years, carrying Jerry to college at Purdue and, ultimately, racking up well over 200,000 miles before being retired as a well-used, somewhat rusty midwestern Studebaker decades later. But, importantly, it did not leave the family.
Today, that Golden Hawk 400 is undergoing the most thorough body-off restoration you can imagine, at the hand of SDCer Tom Lawlis. Tom is approaching the halfway mark on the project but, obviously, was unable to see his life-long hope of returning the car to "better-than-new" while Jerry was alive, so they could again enjoy it together.
That 400 spawned Tom Lawlis' interest in these unique Golden Hawks to such an extant that Tom became the national roster-keeper for Golden Hawk 400s, as many SDCers know. Tom has done extensive research documenting surviving cars and helping persons authenticate possible 400s for many years. He has production orders for all 400s and the most extensive file extant on these cars.
Tom and Jerry were closer than most siblings. While Jerry's passing was expected, it nonetheless remains a terrible loss for our good SDC friend, his younger brother Tom.
Tom is not on this forum, so he likely will not see remarks posted here. Therefore, it would be greatly appreciated if forum members would take a moment to send a card to Tom and his wife Judy:
Tom and Judy Lawlis
929 Raymond Street
Plainfield IN 46168-2011
Remarks could be made to the effect of:
"Hi, Tom (and Judy). I just read of your brother Jerry's passing on our SDC forum and want to extend my/our condolences. I understand Jerry is directly responsible for your good work documenting Golden Hawk 400s for SDC, a work greatly appreciated by all of us. Know that Jerry will surely be watching as you finish the car you guys so enjoyed together for many years."
Thanks, everyone. Tom Lawlis is a good friend and one of the most dedicated SDCers you could ever ask to meet. [8D]BP
Jerry's younger brother Tom was riding his bicycle as a youngster on Indianapolis' west side in early summer 1960. Tom spotted what proved to be a genuine 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk 400 on a gas station lot, a rarity in that it was a solid color, Inca Gold. Tom was too young to buy it, but pedalled his bike home as fast as he could to tell his older brother Jerry about it. Jerry was old enough to drive, so they together returned to the gas station and Jerry bought it.
That 400 well served the family for many years, carrying Jerry to college at Purdue and, ultimately, racking up well over 200,000 miles before being retired as a well-used, somewhat rusty midwestern Studebaker decades later. But, importantly, it did not leave the family.
Today, that Golden Hawk 400 is undergoing the most thorough body-off restoration you can imagine, at the hand of SDCer Tom Lawlis. Tom is approaching the halfway mark on the project but, obviously, was unable to see his life-long hope of returning the car to "better-than-new" while Jerry was alive, so they could again enjoy it together.
That 400 spawned Tom Lawlis' interest in these unique Golden Hawks to such an extant that Tom became the national roster-keeper for Golden Hawk 400s, as many SDCers know. Tom has done extensive research documenting surviving cars and helping persons authenticate possible 400s for many years. He has production orders for all 400s and the most extensive file extant on these cars.
Tom and Jerry were closer than most siblings. While Jerry's passing was expected, it nonetheless remains a terrible loss for our good SDC friend, his younger brother Tom.
Tom is not on this forum, so he likely will not see remarks posted here. Therefore, it would be greatly appreciated if forum members would take a moment to send a card to Tom and his wife Judy:
Tom and Judy Lawlis
929 Raymond Street
Plainfield IN 46168-2011
Remarks could be made to the effect of:
"Hi, Tom (and Judy). I just read of your brother Jerry's passing on our SDC forum and want to extend my/our condolences. I understand Jerry is directly responsible for your good work documenting Golden Hawk 400s for SDC, a work greatly appreciated by all of us. Know that Jerry will surely be watching as you finish the car you guys so enjoyed together for many years."
Thanks, everyone. Tom Lawlis is a good friend and one of the most dedicated SDCers you could ever ask to meet. [8D]BP
We've got to quit saying, 
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