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Michael Syron Lawlor passed away on September 21, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas, following a long battle with multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare neurodegenerative disease. Mike was born February 24, 1959, in Baltimore, Maryland, to John J. and Ruth Lawlor, who predeceased him in 2008 and 2018 respectively. Mike is survived by Janice Slayman Lawlor, his wife of 41 years; two daughters, Emma Lawlor (Eric Parmon) and Moria Love (Michael); and his first granddaughter who will join the family in 2023. In addition, he is survived by a large and loving extended family: siblings Christine Hamilton (Billy), Joan Brantley (John), John M. Lawlor (Carol), Patrick Lawlor (Veronica), and Jaimie Jackson (Mark); sisters-in-law Judy Onken (David) and Jill Robertson (Robbie); 18 nieces and nephews and 22 great nieces and nephews; and many beloved friends and colleagues. Mike and his family moved to San Antonio in 1969. He graduated from Winston Churchill High School (1977), where he distinguished himself as yearbook photographer and eventually associate editor-in-chief. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a B.A. in economics and a minor in philosophy and also met his wife, Jan. They married in 1981 and headed to Iowa State University where Mike obtained a Ph.D.in economics. The couple then moved to Wake Forest University in North Carolina in 1986. Mike became a tenured professor and relished the opportunity to combine quality teaching and research. He had a deep thirst for knowledge across a wide spectrum of fields. His central intellectual interest throughout his career was Keynesian monetary theory, eventually leading to a book based on archival research at Cambridge University. At Wake Forest, he was involved in founding both an interdisciplinary Social Science Research Seminar and the Health Policy and Administration Minor, and he was passionate about integrating a liberal arts perspective into the study of the economy to facilitate equitable social progress. He had many friendships and collaborations with colleagues across campus, the country, and the world. Above all, Mike was a wonderful husband, father, brother, son, and friend. He loved being the father of two beautiful and strong young women. With his family and friends, he enjoyed books, music, cooking, jokes and silliness, sports, Texas family reunions, the North Carolina beaches, the Appalachian Mountains, and international travel. With his sparkling blue eyes and cheery laugh, he first melted Jan’s heart with goofy poetry and a stuffed monkey named Juan Pedro. He could swing his partner around a Texas dance hall to a Bob Wills tune, find joy in all camping and backpacking (mis)adventures, meet his little girls’ challenge to swim underwater across the neighborhood pool on one breath, and grow a prodigious vegetable garden. He ran countless miles – and a marathon – with his longstanding running group. In his fifth decade, he decided to learn to play the guitar and belt out “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and many other country and blues standards. He truly loved his life and all the people in it. Mike was taken much too soon from those who loved him. For over 15 years, he bravely faced a gradual but difficult physical decline, eventually having to retire prematurely. His mind never failed him, however, and his strength of will is an inspiration to all who had the privilege to be in his life. His family would like to thank his excellent physicians for their years of compassionate medical attention and support during Mike’s journey, especially Dr. Ratna Sanka, Dr. Neela Patel, and Dr. Sudha Seshadri. We also are eternally grateful for the tireless physical and emotional care by home health professionals Alma Valdez, Bondi Cutrer, Norma Atilano, and Carlos Ortiz. The family suggests donations in Mike’s memory be made to the Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Coalition, or to the Wake Forest University Department of Economics in support of the Michael Lawlor Prize (which supports excellence in macroeconomics through undergraduate research assistants’ work with faculty members). https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/donate/ https://forms.secure.wfu.edu/giving Visitation will be Monday, September 26, 2022, at 1:00 pm at the Little Church of La Villita, 508 Villita Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78205, with the celebration service beginning there at 1:30 pm. Interment will follow immediately after at San Jose Burial Park, 8235 Mission Road, 78214. Arrangements are being handled by Mission Park Funeral Chapels South.

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Michael Syron Lawlor

February 24, 1959 - September 21, 2022