Robert Kelsey Lawton, 68, died April 14, 2012, at his home.
He was born in Newport, R.I., and lived in Vero Beach since 2002, coming from Jacksonville.
He spent his childhood in South America and Washington, D.C.
He spent 40 years in business sales with Air Products & Chemicals, Sperry UNIVAC and Dean Witter Reynolds before moving to Vero Beach where he worked for the American Red Cross.
While studying at Pennsylvania State University, he was active in Navy ROTC and continued six years active duty service as a lieutenant.
He completed an MSA degree from George Washington University.
He was director of missions at Community Church for five years.
Before worshipping at Community Church, he was a member of Christ by the Sea Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of three months, Sandra Schumann Lawton, of Vero Beach; son, Robert K. Lawton Jr., of Marquette, Mich.; daughter, Cynthia Myers, of Loveland, Ohio; stepdaughters, Valerie Goldman, of Napa, Calif., and Kelly Schumann, of Washington, D.C.; mother, Vee LaBerge, of Vero Beach; sister, Jean Smith, of Sanford, N.C.; and four grandchildren.
Memorial contributions should be made to the Community Church Missions Board, 1901 23rd St., Vero Beach, FL 32960; www.ccovb.org; or (772) 562-3633.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. April 28 at the Community Church of Vero Beach with the Rev. Drs. Robert and Casey Baggott officiating.
Interment will be in the Community Church Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Cox-Gifford-Seawinds in Vero Beach.
A guestbook is available at www.seawindsfh.com.
