Darwin Rawlings

RICHMOND, UTAH DARWIN RAWLINGS

Darwin Rawlings, 92, passed away at Logan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on March 16, 2011. Darwin was born on February 22, 1919, in Preston Idaho, to James Richard and Florence Isabell Garner Rawlings being the fourth of seven children. He attended Preston schools. He served a Mission in the East Central States. Darwin married Elsie Sharp on April 16, 1942 in the Logan Temple. They resided in Preston, Star, and Fairview, Idaho, where they farmed and raised a son and six daughters. In 1963 they bought the White Motel in Logan, Utah. Darwin was self taught in many trades, plumber, builder, painter, welder, mechanic, and later became shop foremen for Ellis Equipment. His wife, Elsie died in 1974, living then in North Logan. Darwin married Valeen C. Brown in the Logan Temple on July 1, 1975 and blended their two families. After their retirement they served in the South Africa Cape Town Mission. Darwin held many church calling and loved teaching, especially the priesthood lessons. He, along with his wife, served in the Logan Temple for 15 years. Valeen died October 4, 2004. He married Shirley Spackman July 3, 2006 and moved into her home in Richmond, Utah. They were also sealed in the Logan Temple. His posterity includes five living children: Arvona (Ed) Jenson, College Ward; LaNae (Sid) Hyde, Smithfield; Beth (Dan) Cooper, St George; Irene (Dallan) Nielsen, Hyrum; and Marla (Craig) Barrett, Queen Creek, AZ. Preceded in death are his daughter, Valarie his son, Richard and Richard's wife Ann, also three infant children Lynn, Sharal, and Wayne and 2 grandchildren . Darwin has 35 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren. He has 7 step-children from his marriage with Valeen, and 7 step-children from his marriage with Shirley. He also has many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. All but one sister, Della Jones of Preston, have passed away.
A viewing will be held in the Richmond 1st Ward Chapel, 135 West Main, Richmond, Utah, the evening of Sunday, March 20, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 and Monday morning from 9:30 to 10:30. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the Preston Cemetery. The family would like to thank the nursing staff from Legacy House of Logan and Logan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for all they did to care for Darwin, especially Julie Garner from CNA Hospice and their staff. In Lieu of flowers, Darwin asked that contributions be sent to the missionary or perpetual education fund.