Gary Rawley

Gary Lee Rawley passed away at the start of the new year, 2021, due to CoVid which began from a slip and fall hip injury at the beginning of December 2020.

Gary was the third child born in the mid 1930’s in Compton CA to the late Lawrence Roy Rowley from Garrison, UT and Myrl Ida Strong-Rowley from Springville, UT.

Gary, met his true love of 61 years, Delores Ann “Dee” Letts in November of 1956 while at a car hop diner in Paramount CA near where they both grew up. Both were smitten and married 6 months later to the day in May, 1957. Gary was month shy of turning 21, and both were from the same Alma Mater, Compton High School.  Gary cared for Dee, each and everyday til her life was succumbed from a heart attack in April, 2018 after being bed ridden the last four years of her life trying to recover from a brain tumor surgery in March, 2014.

Gary worked as an engineer for Union Oil in the early 1960’s in Long Beach, CA until he began his passion of 60+ years success-taught at an early age by his father about selling tools in the metal working machinery business. He sold new and used metal working machinery to companies all over the world seeking machinery which manufactured their product. Gary even struggled with his self own machinery business being burnt down caused by arson in March 1989 and then build his entire business from the ground up a couple of years later where he kept it going until the day he passed.

Gary always admired antique cars, enjoyed collecting rare baseball cards and old coins from the early 20th century. He always watched cowboy movies, John Wayne was his favorite, Home Improvement inspired television shows, baseball and especially loved his family til the very end.

In November of 1978, Gary, his wife, Dee, and children, Larry and Kristin were sealed together for eternity in the Los Angeles LDS temple.

Gary left behind many decades of long time friends, business associates and new friends whom all loved and admired his intellect, humor and insight about life until the day he passed. He will always be loved and sadly missed by all whom he made feel, like a part of his family circle wherever he resided until his final homestead in Washington, Utah since November, 2016. Those whom knew Gary well will always remember hearing his quirky sayings, “Hold on Luke, she’s about to buck!”, “Don’t take any wooden nickels!” or “living another day in paradise!”

Gary is survived by his son, Larry Lee Rawley, age 61, his daughter-in-law, Stephanie Schmitz-Rawley, resides in San Bernardino County, his daughter, Kristin DeAnn Rawley-Himala, age 50, and son-in-law, Adrianne Himala resides in Anaheim, CA, one grand-daughter, Samantha Rawley, 30, and one grand-son, Noah Rawley, 23 and a great-grand-daughter, Alexis, 11, all from Yorba Linda, CA. Gary’s only living sister, Arlene Rawley-Hart, resides in Washington, UT.

Thank you Dixie Regional Hospital in St George Utah for your constant dedicated care.  He appreciated you all wholeheartedly til the very last day of his life.

We love and will continue to miss you always, Dad!!!! Enjoy your time in eternal happiness with Mom, until we are all together again.