Johnny Rawlins

(From Parker Mortuary)

Johnny Thomas Erwin Rawlins, age 76, Joplin, passed away on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at Mercy of Joplin.

Johnny was born May 9, 1942 in Joplin, son of the late Boyd Thomas Rawlins and Ruby Opal Anna Doss Rawlins. He attended Joplin Schools, and was a self taught auto mechanic. He worked on cars at his auto salvage business, D.J.'s Auto Salvage, until his retirement in 2008. He has always enjoyed working on cars, especially old classical cars, and hot rods.

Johnny was very involved with his children 's sporting activities, from Little League through high school. He continued this passion with his grandchildren. He was past president of the Metro Little League in 1978.

In addition to his parents, Johnny was preceded in death by a brother, Eddie Rawlins, a sister, Nadine Evans, and a grandson, Maxwell Jacob Heilbrun.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Karen Howard Rawlins, of the home; seven children, Cindy Butler and husband Freddie of Joplin, Tina Causey and husband Mark of Seneca, Johnny T. Rawlins, II and wife Mitzi of Neosho, James Rawlins and wife Melissa of Fairland, Oklahoma, David Rawlins of Seneca, Richard Rawlins and wife Dian of Joplin, and Debbie Long and husband Rodney of Diamond; 26 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren; sisters, Donna Rawlins of Modesto, California, Susan Haley of Joplin, and Michelle Rawlins of St. Louis, Missouri; brothers, Danny Rawlins of Riverton, Kansas, and Mike Rawlins of Wyandotte, Oklahoma; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at South Side Baptist Church Rev. Keith Jackson officiating. Interment will follow in Osborne Memorial Cemetery with grandsons serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Friday, September 7, 2018 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Friends are invited to come by Johnny's home anytime to visit with family.

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