Gilbert Rawlings

Gil passed away much too soon on December 18, 2015, from the sad effects of this life. Gil was born March 24, 1950, in Provo, Utah to Paul and Bessie Smith Rawlings, the fourth of their six children. Gil grew up in Orem, Utah and attended Union Elementary, Orem Jr. High, Orem High School, Snow College, and later got his degree in Electrical Automation from UVCC. Gilbert met his Wife Vinona Spendlove and they married at the ripe old ages of twenty and seventeen. They recently celebrated their forty-fifth anniversary. After the birth of their first child, tender hearted, Lisa, Gil joined the Air Force during the end of the Vietnam conflict, but was lucky to have not been sent overseas. Gil was given an early and honorable discharge, and served eight more years in the Army National Guard. Gil was a patriotic man and loved this country. With his GI benefits he was able to get his degree in electrical automation. During this time, his big hearted, Christopher was born. With two little kids in tow Gil and Vinona headed to Carbon County where Gil worked in the coalmines. They added three more girls to the family: funny Heather born in the car, little Jill, and sweet Sara. Years later, in the early eighties, the coal mines where doing poorly so Gil and Vinona moved their family back to Orem where Gil resumed his career as an electrician. Gil was a faithful hard worker all his life. Gil's favorite place in life was with his family. His Disneyland was Moab Utah, camping, mountain biking, and wheeling in his RZR. At the age of fifty Gil took up snow boarding and the dude could shred with the best! Our crazy family times were the best and Gil loved his kids unconditionally. Gil was so proud of his fourteen grandchildren and enjoyed great times with them; he especially had a soft spot for the last two little grand girls. Ember told her momma, "I need grandma today, so I can play baby dolls with grandpa!" Gilbert has made some great friends along the way, and you are so loved by him, but his best buddies were his dogs Barkley, and Handsome Jack. The only thing that came between Gil and Vinona were their dog babies, who always slept in the middle. Gill is survived by his wife Vinona and children, Lisa & (Robin Boneck) Christopher & (Camille Rawlings) Heather & (Bryce Smith), Jill & (KC Backus), Sara & (Paul Ralphs), and fourteen beloved grandchildren, and of course his Jack dog. In lieu of flowers, please take your family on an adventure! Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at 11:00 am in the Orem 2nd Ward Chapel, 80 South 280 East in Orem. A visitation will be held that day from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the ward chapel. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery

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