Rex W. Rawlins

Rex W. Rawlins

After an 18-month battle with cancer, Rex W. Rawlins passed on August 18th, 2025. He began his life March 14th, 1945, in the small town of Lewiston, Utah. Born to parents Owen and Velma Rawlins, he grew up on the family farm with his older twin siblings LaVere and Vera as well as his younger sister J'Lene. After finishing high school, Rex joined many of his friends and school mates in military service during the early years of the Vietnam War. He joined the United States Navy in 1964 and was stationed primarily out of the naval air station on North Island near San Diego. Rex enjoyed his military role as plane captain, what today might be referred to as crew chief, aboard several different types of transport aircraft. Throughout the rest of his life, he often shared stories of the many adventures he experienced during his four years of service.

Upon his honorable discharge in 1968, Rex continued to live in the San Diego area working various jobs and eventually meeting his future wife, Sandra Long. In 1970, the couple moved back to Utah in pursuit of work and Rex was quickly hired by Union Pacific Railroad. He would continue to work for UPRR for a further 35 years in a wide variety of roles, finishing as a track inspector. Rex and Sandy were married Sep. 2, 1970, and had two wonderful children, Chad in 1972 and Brandye in 1974. Railroad life saw Rex transferred first to Pocatello and eventually Soda Springs, Idaho in 1980.

Throughout his life, Rex had a deep love of the outdoors. There were numerous camping, hunting, and fishing trips for the whole family. He took a series of annual backcountry canoe trips in Yellowstone National Park with his friends. After retiring, Rex became deeply engrossed in gold prospecting and enjoyed spending time with his newfound friends in the Gold Prospectors Association of America. As much as he enjoyed the outdoors, it was never about being away from others. One of his favorite activities was to just walk around any place he found himself and strike up a conversation. Everyone in the family called this "neighboring." Many of those neighbors have taken part in the activity for nearly 40 years now.

Rex W. Rawlins is survived by his sister J'lene, his loving wife Sandra, his children Chad and Brandye and his four grandsons, that he adored, Keagan Leif, Greyson Lake, Griffin Luke, and Soren Long. Throughout his life, Rex had many wonderful dogs that he refused to go anywhere without, including his final one, Beans. As per Rex's wishes, his remains are to be cremated and there will be no formal service. If you wish to remember Rex in some way, his family asks that you consider donating to the local Soda Springs food bank by way of SEICAA. The family would also like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to the numerous staff members of Caribou Memorial Hospital and its outpatient clinic for their tireless efforts to help Rex and us all through this trying time.