Lawton D. Wolf, 93, the president and co-founder of Peggy Lawton Kitchens Inc. of East Walpole died at his home at North Hill in Needham on Wednesday September 22nd. Lawton Wolf was born in Trenton NJ on August 27, 1911 to Harry and Kathleen Wolf. He was an only child. As a boy Lawton had two things, besides his parents, that he loved; his dog Rex and his bicycle. Lawton attended Trenton Public Schools. Later, at the start of the depression, he was accepted to Ryder University in Lawrenceville NJ where he graduated Cum Laude in 1932. During his college days Lawton's best friend, Lee Kenny, invited him to visit church services with the Plymouth Brethren. It was here that he met his future bride to be, Peggy Hannah. Although jobs were almost impossible to obtain during the depression, Lawton's persistence landed him an opportunity with Reader's Digest in New York City. Peggy and Lawton were wed on May 25, 1935. They took a steamer up the Hudson River to Vermont where they spent their honeymoon. During he next ten years, Peggy and Lawton were on the move as Lawton worked in three production control jobs. One defense job was with Wright Aeronautical in Cincinnati, Ohio. In this city their fiest child Kathleen was born. A new job with Holtzer Cabot Electric eventually brought the family to Boston. It was here that he met Dave Puccio who would become the key salesman for Peggy Lawton Oven Confections. But first came the "Sampler" restaurant in Dedham Square where Peggy's original Fudge Brownie recipe was recognized as having commercial potential. After several up and down years in the luncheonette business, Peggy and Lawton decided to go into the fudge brownie business full-time. On February 7, 1949 Lawton signed an order for his first shipment of commercial bakery equipment. By late March the first portion packaged Fudge Brownies were baked at 252 Bussey Street in Dedham. The Bussey Street facility was outgrown by November of 1950. And so began a series of moves or projects to obtain more and more space to meet the increasing demand for the highly successful Fudge Brownies which were distributed from Maine to washington D.C. In 1956 Peggy and Lawton moved out of their rented double decker apartment in Dedham and moved into a two family in Weston which they shared with his retired parents. Now with his own yard for the first time since marraige, Lawton purchased two dogs. His beloved dalamation Checkers and the water loving collie, Sailor. In the late 1950's Peggy Lawton began to produce Cookies to compliment the Brownie. Lawton developed and re formulated the recipes until the cookies became a second commercial success story. By 1962, Peggy Lawton had outgrown its fourht location and settled in its present location in East Walpole. Not long after this move, professional arsonists were hired by an unknown person to put Peggy Lawton Kitchens out of business forever. On a July night in 1964 they cut a hole in the roof and set several explosive charge to go off throughout the new bakery. Nearby residents were knocked out of their beds by the force of the blasts, but no one was killed. The explosions blew the walls out and the roof collapsed on top of all the equipment and stock. Lawton always said Peggy Lawton was not machines or building, bu people. This was proven in the aftermath of "the fire". All Lawton's dedicated and loyal co-workers encouraged him to rebuild. Working without pay, the put the bakery back together again inside a brand new concrete and steel building. This was erected in record time and on the same site. Miraculously, no employees or customers were lost during the 84 day re-build. This success story is a testimony to Lawton's practical application of the "Golden Rule" to all parts of his life. More business and several expansions followed. Their son Bill began working at Peggy Lawton in 1972. This allowed Lawton and Peggy more liberty to travel far and wide and to escape the hardest months of the New England winters. Lawton, a lover of music (especially happy organ music), was a self taught Hammond organ player. This love of music and the San Diego area winter weather, eventually translated into spending a few months during the winter at the Lawrence Welk Resort in Escondido CA. Here Peggy and Lawton enjoyed Welk's champagne music and attended Emmanuel Faith Community Church. For the past few years Peggy and Lawton have resided solely at North Hill in Needham. This allowed Lawton, up until very recently, to continue his 70 year record of working 5 days a week. Lawton was a member of grace Chapel in Lexington and the Hundred Club of Massachusetts. he was an avid car enthusiast with a particular interest in classic and high performance vehicles. He was considered a sharp dresser and always wore an ascot. He enjoyed hearing and telling jokes, and could always be counted on to laugh at the stories told by his co-workers. An evangelical Protestant, LAwton held a strong but quiet faith. He had a great interest in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people, near and far, through a variety of ministry organizations. He leaves his wife Peggy, daughter Kathleen of Hoover, Alabama, son William of Walpole, grandchildren Jennifer, Bethany, Heidi, Hans, Ariel and Schuyler. He ws predeceased by in death by grandson Scott Lee Pittman and Robin Wolf. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday September 25 at 10:30 at the Dover Church in Dover MA. Visiting hours in the Eaton Funeral Home 1351Highalnd Avenue Needham on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers donations in Lawton's name may be made to TheNavigators, Memorial Department, P.O. Box 6000, Colorado Springs, Co 80934.