Kelly Rawlings

Kelly Eugene Rawlings of Orem, UT passed away quietly in his home Wednesday, August 1st. Kelly was born in Provo, UT on August 19th, 1958 to Gene and Kathryn Rawlings.

Growing up Kelly loved all things outdoors, horses, and sports. Though small for his age, Kelly worked hard to keep up with bigger boys and never backed down from a challenge. Young Kelly loved working with his dad and learning the value of hard work. He was mischievous and had a clever sense of humor which he kept and used his entire life. Kelly was fearless, which may have been something he learned from competing against larger boys. As an avid skier, he quickly conquered the “Black Diamond” routes of the local ski resorts. Whether summer or winter, Kelly had the agility of a mountain goat and was completely at home in the mountains. Kelly was an avid reader and especially loved books about history.

Kelly had two children (Neil & Jamie) with his first wife, Virginia Ott, and one child (Kali Jean) with his second wife, Debbie Graham. Kelly served in the National Guard in both Wyoming and Utah. He was trained on how to set the coordinates for aiming the M107 Howitzer and was considered the best shot in the company. He was also decorated as an expert marksman. Kelly loved traveling around the west looking for fossils and rocks and spent time gold panning and hunting. He loved the desert and was an amateur geologist like his father. Kelly also spent time working an old gold claim (Shortwater Mining Claim) in Jefferson County Montana of which he was a part-owner. In 2003 Kelly lost his mom. In 2005 his father married Marva Porter and quickly accepted her as his bonus mom. This proved to be very fortuitous because when Kelly’s father passed in 2014, Marva carried on the sacred role as parent.

Kelly is survived by his three children: Neil Rawlings of Springville, UT; Jamie Rawlings of Springville, UT; and Kali Jean Rawlings of Sandy, UT. He is also survived by his four siblings: Christine (Roger) Prete, Lee (Jeralee) Rawlings, Gary (Kemari) Rawlings, and Heidi (Ken) Hurst.

He is preceded in death by his brothers Scott Rawlings and Jay Rawlings and by his parents Eugene Paul Rawlings and Kathryn Maughan Rawlings.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, August 8th 2018 at 11:00am in the L.D.S. Chapel at 950 S. 50 E. Orem, UT. A viewing will be held for family and friends from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Condolences may be sent to the family on this page.