Richard Charles “Charley” Luke Rawls passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Aug. 23, 2011.

He was born Aug 28, 1984, in Klamath Falls, Ore., but lived nearly all of his 26 years on Whidbey Island.

Charley graduated from South Whidbey High School in 2002, attended Everett Community college for two years, and studied the Airframes and Propulsions Certificate Program at Paine Field for two years before he joined Werner Trucking Company as a long-haul driver.

Charley covered the U.S. in his truck but spent most of his time on I-5 between the Canadian and Mexican borders. He logged thousands upon thousands of miles and left as many friends along the way.

Charley Rawls was a gentle soul whose joy in life was making people happy, and he was most successful. He loved his family and his family loved him.

He leaves behind his parents, Rich and Janice Rawls; his sister, Bethany James and her family; grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and a very special nephew who looks just like him.

There will be a celebration of Charley’s all too brief life from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 at his parents’ home at 7302 S. Holst Road, Clinton, WA 98236. His many friends are warmly invited to come and wish him well.

Charley will be forever missed but never forgotten. Our lesson in this loss is to hug your loved ones early and hug them often.