C.F. “Gerry” Rawlings, dear husband, father and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Dec. 30, 2007 in Everett.
Gerry was born Dec. 30, 1936 in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Oakwood High School in Dayton and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Following graduation, he served in the Air Force.
Settling in Washington state in 1965, he was able to enjoy the perfect place — “because it had everything.”
Gerry led a full and active life, always on the go. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoyed duck hunting, skiing and biking. An avid skier since the 1960s, he spent many great years on the slopes of Stevens Pass with family and friends at the Penguin Ski Club.
In 1999, after 15 years, Gerry retired from Stoneway Roofing in Seattle. He kept busy in retirement volunteering for the Friends of Freeland, participating in fundraising bike rides, keeping fit with friends at the Island Athletic Club, taking walks to the lighthouse for a mocha, passing out Oreos to the grandkids, enjoying a glass of wine at the beach, crabbing, boating, fishing, pursuing his passions and helping others in the Whidbey community.
Gerry had the opportunity to see many of our states on two wheels.
He was an enthusiastic participant in many of the American Lung Association of Washington and local rides, most recently, in June 2007, Gerry rode the ALAW Big Ride Glacier National Park, 375 miles through Montana, Alberta and British Columbia. (Anything for an ice cream!)
Gerry touched the lives of so many people, he will be greatly missed. We are thankful for the time we had with him and our lives are richer for having known him.
Gerry is survived by his wife, Catherine; brothers, Peter (Beverly) of Williamsburg, Va., Richard (Barbara) of Shorewood, Minn., and John (Sally) of Seattle; daughters, Kelly Friend (Robert) of West Harrison, N.Y., Wendy Godfrey of Everett, and Robin Albers (David) of Bellingham; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.
The family suggests any remembrances be made to the American Lung Association of Washington 2625 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121 or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605.
Arrangements are under the direction of Visser Funeral Home, Langley.
