George Allan Rawson

George Allan Rawson departed this world on May 10, 2025, at The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. George was born March 27, 1947, in Southside, WV. He attended Point Pleasant High School and was a proud soldier in the United States Army where he served as a pathfinder, paratrooper and member of the 5th infantry division as a weapons expert. While away on military duty, he boxed in his free time. Throughout George’s life he worked cutting timber, as a welder and served in multiple capacities on construction sites. George was employed by American Car and Foundry Company, Foote Mineral, American Alloys and retired from Boilermaker Union Local 667 in 2017. Both on and off the job, George was a workhorse, known for his safe practices and valued by his employers as the man they called when a weld needed to hold. At the age of 78 he still out worked most young men and would not quit until a job was finished.

George was known for his distinct voice, brute strength, honest opinions, his ability to build and fix anything, his tough love, and his healing hugs. His children would tell you he was a protector like no other; he was a stern disciplinarian but there was no doubt he pushed hard to make them the best they could be. He was a good neighbor, excellent provider, and an avid outdoorsman. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and raising Grand Night Champion Coonhounds and if any hunting was in season, you could bet if George was not working, he was in the woods. He truly loved the wild outdoors, wildlife, farming, growing his garden and trading dogs, guns, and knives. He enjoyed a good western and believed if he didn’t make at least one person smile each day, the day would have been wasted. George was a jack of all trades and a master of many.

George loved to get a reaction from others and there was never a dull moment when he was around. No one could predict what he was going to say or what adventure they would find themselves having if they were with him. From his family to the medical staff who cared for him, George was known for giving memorable nicknames; Tootsie, Punkin, Rosie, Boog, Wiggles, and Farkle were among his favorites. He was a character that many grew to adore once they saw through his hard exterior.

There was not an indecisive bone in George’s body, everyone knew where they stood with him because he had no reservations about letting them know. George was both loyal and stubborn to a fault. He had never known a stranger; he talked to everyone and made friends everywhere he went. He was a loyal democrat but would not talk politics. He was a proud supporter of all unions; after all they are what built America and fed his family when times were hard. He was quietly generous to causes he believed in: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warriors, and Disabled Veterans are among just a few.

George was not always at sporting or extracurricular events, as he was a traditionalist who thought his time was better spent providing for his family. However, if there was ever a time when things went wrong, George was the first on the scene, rushing toward the trouble, to defend and carry his loved ones from harm, to hold their hands through the pain, and hold them while they cried on his shoulder. He was the family member, neighbor, and friend you called when you needed someone to show up. He knew how to take charge, and no one questioned his leadership. Everyone one knew he was the provider and protector of his family.

Upon his wife’s passing, George became the cookie baker for his grandkids and made sure he still contributed to family get togethers. In the end, his only worry was that his girls would have to carry on without him. He faced death just as bravely as he had every other challenge in his life; hugging his family as they cried for him. He defied all odds, beating cancer three times. It took being tagged teamed by two new cancers, and his medical team deciding it was just too risky to help him keep up the fight before the fierce battle ended. Still George held on much longer than any doctor thought he was capable, continuing to shock them all.

George was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Sandra ‘Ann’ (Newman) Rawson and beloved son Joseph Allan ‘Joey’ Rawson who he longed to be reunited with, as well as his parents Joseph "Shorty" Rawson and Evelyn Rawson; three brothers, Ralph Rawson, William "Bill"(Donna) Rawson and Charles (Elaine)Rawson; brothers-in-law, Don Duncan and Ralph Newman; mother-in-law Enna Newman.

George leaves behind his devoted daughters, Sandra Lynn Keefer and husband, Jody, of Southside, WV and Tiffany Michelle Rawson Ferguson and husband, Sean, of Huntington, WV; his grandchildren: Madilyn Mackenzie Keefer, Hayley Brooke Keefer, Mikenna Elizabeth Ferguson, and Joseph Sean Ferguson; sister, Mary (Stormy) Hart; nieces, Mary Blanche Rawson and Tammy (David) Morrison; nephews, Mike (Cindy) Rawson, David (Anna) Rawson, and Troy Duncan; sister-in-law Dixie Newman

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant, with Richard Green officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00-1:00 on Thursday prior to the service at the funeral home. A military graveside service will be given by the West Virginia Army Honor Guard and the Stewart-Johnson VFW post 9926 of Mason, WV. George’s earthly body will return home, where he loved to be, to be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, in the Rawson Family Cemetery, Southside, WV.

Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.