Mr. Joe Daniel Rawls

Joe Daniel (Danny) Rawls transitioned to our Heavenly Kingdom on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at the age of 74.  He was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on November 6, 1946.

After graduating from Malabar High School in 1965, he joined the Air Force and served in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Upon returning, Danny married his childhood sweetheart, Evelyn J. Reed. To that Union was born one son, Jason Rawls. He later transferred to the Army to retire with the rank of Sergeant Major. He then took his skills to the U.S. Government and worked at Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) Columbus as a Labor Relations Officer, where he retired in 2007.

Danny was a faithful member of First Church of God, under Bishop Timothy J. Clark, where he served as a Man of Valor and on the Funeral Team. He was a Past Grand Master of St. Mark’s Lodge #7, where he continued to serve as wise counsel.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, but most of all those grandsons – relaxing with the oldest, shopping with the middle one and enjoying a good laugh with the youngest. When he wasn’t just hanging out, Danny was attending football games, track meets and wrestling matches to support them. Go Hawks and Pickerington Tigers! Danny also had a love for fishing and held the best annual family fish fries.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Wilma Rawls; brother, Harold Frank Rawls; sister, Phyllis Jackson.

Danny is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Evelyn J. Rawls; son, Jason (Patricia) Rawls; grandchildren, Josiah, Joshua and Justus Rawls; sisters, Dorothy L. Still and Wilma Y. Rawls; brother-in-Law, Arthur Jackson; nieces, nephews and loving family members and friends.

Masonic Service at 9:00am; Visitation 9:30am – 10:45am followed by 11:00am Home Going Service Friday, October 15, 2021 at First Church of God 3480 Refugee Road. Entombment 1:00pm Saturday at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.