Jerry Lee Rawlings

Jerry Lee Rawlings died early in the morning of Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at the Haven of Show Low in Show Low, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 85 years old. Jerry was born on Friday, December 6, 1929 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan to his parents, the late Ira Bill and Willa Grace (Shannon) Rawlings. In 1932, as a young boy, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona from his native Michigan. When he was in the 4th grade (or there about), the Rawlings Family moved to Kingman, Arizona. He was a member of Kingman High School's Class of 1947. Jerry knew, early in life, the importance of having a good education. Following his high school graduation, he attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, transferred to AZ State Teachers College (NAU), and finally, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Accountancy from Arizona State University in Tempe. On August 27, 1950, Jerry married the love of his life, Gloria Anna Grantham in Kingman, Arizona. Together, they shared a life full of adventures, love, trials and support. While still a young man, Jerry taught himself how to fly planes at the Kingman Army Airfield. Flying was a pastime that Jerry enjoyed for many years and, with his piloting skills, he was able to help his parents as they built the Sho Lo Theatre in Show Low. He and his dad flew most of the materials used for the theater's construction from an old barracks at the airfield in Kingman to Show Low. Once the Sho Lo Theatre opened, he and Gloria lived in the apartment upstairs while managing it from 1951 through about 1960. Also, during this time, Jerry opened up his own accounting practice right at the theater and was able to keep the books for many of the old time families of the White Mountain area. After the theater was opened, the family then proceeded to build and operate the Wagon Wheel Drive-In Theatre, located in the Wagon Wheel area where Aspen Ridge Medical Center and Solterra now stand. The Wagon Wheel Mobile Village, right next to the drive-in, was the only RV park in the state where you could rent a RV site and watch a movie from your front porch! Jerry helped to dig the pond for this RV Park that is now located in front of Solterra Senior Living in Lakeside. By the sweat of his brow, Jerry knew the value of hard work and had several occupations in his lifetime. Later, from 1965 until 1969, Jerry partnered with Cecil Baldwin and Jim McCarty in a construction business. On June 26, 1969, Jerry's life was forever changed when he was involved in an accident while laying pipeline on Mt. Lemmon, outside of Tucson, crushing his lower body and resulting in the loss of his right leg. In his younger years, Jerry loved "playing" in the great out-of-doors. He enjoyed golfing with his friends and also enjoyed taking his young family for jeep rides. He was a hunter and appreciated a quiet day on the lake, fishing. Waterskiing was also a great family pastime with many weekends spent on Daggs Reservoir (now White Mountain Lake) or going to Lake Powell. Flying had always been a favorite way to spend his free time. He also loved a good game of Poker and even won a dog named Booger from Joe Baird during a game. After losing his leg, he found new ways to spend his spare time, and spent many an evening playing Skip Bo, Bridge and other board or card games. Jerry was blessed with a great sense of community and was involved with many of the area's fraternal organizations. He was a member of the Show Low Elks Lodge and served as one of its Exalted Rulers for a term. Jerry was also a member of the White River Masonic Lodge #62 and served in various capacities within the lodge. Jerry was able to serve as a councilman for Show Low's first City Council. He truly was a well loved member of his community and was worthy of everyone's concern. His warm smile and gentle ways will be missed by all Jerry is survived by his 3 children: Linda (Jim) Morrow of Lakeside, Arizona, Bill (Trudy) Rawlings of Lakeside, Arizona, Lori (Barry) Platts of Gilbert, Arizona; 12 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria on February 2, 2012. He missed her a great deal and his family is comforted in knowing that they have been re-united once again. The funeral service will begin 2:00 P.M., Sunday, February 15, 2015, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery.