Gerald Ralph Rawlins, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at his home in Newton, Kansas, with family by his side. He was born on October 10, 1934, in Straight Creek Township, Kansas, to Herbert Ralph and Ellen Arvenda (Cannon) Rawlins. He was raised in Straight Creek Township and Whiting, Kansas, attending country school and graduating from Whiting High School.
Gerald married June McDevitt in Whiting on March 6, 1953, and they celebrated 70 years of marriage in March. They moved to the Wichita area soon after where they raised their son, Tim, and daughters, Terry, Trudy and Tracie.
He worked at Boeing as a machinist for most of his career. While there, he worked on B47, B52 and 737 planes and the Saturn 5 rocket while in Alabama and Louisiana for a time. He retired from Boeing in 1990 and moved to the southwest desert area where he continued to work as a machinist fabricating items for casinos and later building ultralight airplanes and gyrocopters. His true joy was as a Square Dance Caller 1970 to 1987 in the Wichita area and throughout Kansas. He had a great singing voice, was an excellent caller, and was beloved by the square dancers, many of whom became lifelong friends. He also enjoyed playing golf, traveling, and spending time with family. His family and friends will greatly miss his strength, kindness, and love for all, and his family wishes to thank the Gentiva Hospice staff for their wonderful care of him in his final months.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert & Ellen (Cannon) Rawlins, and his sister, Lois (Rawlins) Trotta.
Gerald is survived by his wife, June (McDevitt) Rawlins, children Tim (Sherri) Rawlins of Newton, KS, Terry (Doug) Fountain of Castle Rock, CO, Trudy (Michael) Morris of Wichita, KS, and Tracie (Mike) Bone of Derby, KS, sister Helen Louise Williams of St. Mary’s, KS, nieces and nephews, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Baker Funeral Home Valley Center is handling cremation arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com. A celebration of life and burial will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts in Gerald’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or Gentiva Hospice, 900 E. 1st St W 1, McPherson, KS 67460.