Bert Joseph Rawlins

Bert Joseph Rawlins, age 79, of Salt Lake City passed away October 29, 2021, after a mercifully brief illness. He left this life with his wife and all nine of his children, some through the miracle of technology, gathered around expressing their love for him. It was truly a gift to be together.
Born in Provo, Utah in 1942 as the second of three children to Boyce and Mae Rawlins, he was an active and curious boy who loved mischief and had a talent for making others feel included. He graduated from Provo High School, received a Bachelor of Economics from Brigham Young University, and later moved to Wales for three years with his young family to pursue a Master’s degree from the University of Aberystwyth.
He served a mission in the Eastern States Mission where he developed a love for his Father in Heaven and his Savior Jesus Christ. He spent the rest of his life as a committed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with an unwavering determination to understand truth and follow God’s will for him. He was often heard saying “I just want the truth” and he would search until he was satisfied he had found it. He desired nothing more than to have his family know of his love for them; something his children feel honored to have witnessed and learned from.
One of his greatest joys was that he and his wife, Shirley, were able to serve five missions together all over the world, loving those with whom they came in contact.
Bert met his wife, Shirley Fields, in 1968 when they were set up by a mutual friend, Mario Aranda. They married in March of 1969 just before he left to serve in the Vietnam War where he was assigned to the Howitzer Battery of the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Bert and Shirley went on to have nine children, Judi (Russell) Bell, Merrit (Alan) Whitaker, twins Ann (Matthew) Thomas and Lee (Jeffrey) Richmond, Megan (Shane) Jarrett, Joseph (Alicia) Rawlins, Jason Rawlins, Ellen (Alex) Sanchez, and Erin (Vernile) DeMille including 35 grandchildren, all of whom he was very proud. Bert was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, dedicating his whole life to serving his family by teaching truth, honor, and a strong love of country.
Professionally, Bert was a genealogist with a specialty in Welsh ancestry. When he crossed the veil, there were probably thousands of people waiting and ready to thank him for the countless hours he spent in caves, basements, cemeteries, libraries, and scrolling through endless sheets of microfiche to find them.
Bert was passionate about his garden and meticulous about its care. Every fall the family would have a big “veggie” dinner which grew into a family tradition where every member attended and included harvests from his children who learned to love gardening as well.
Bert joins his parents, Boyce and Mae, and brother-in-law, Luther “Chub” Rodabaugh. Bert is survived by his loving wife Shirley, brother Peter (JoAnn) Rawlins, sister Kathryn Rodabaugh, and all posterity.
A viewing will be held Thursday, November 4, 2021 from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 S. Highland Dr. SLC. Funeral services will be held Friday November 5, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Rosecrest 2nd Ward Chapel located at 3101 S. 2300 E. SLC with an additional viewing from 10-10:45 before the service. Interment at Memorial Holladay Cemetery. The family requests that all flowers and notes be sent to 4670 S. Highland Dr SLC, UT 84117.
To view the services remotely, please follow this link: https://zoom.us/j/8015661249
https://drive.google.com/u/0/uc?id=1cPruQxpIMA9kryWCM4Hm564Z8_fnnxMy&export=download
Service Information
Viewing November 4, 2021 at 6:30-8:00 PM
Memorial Holladay~Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah 84117





Viewing November 5, 2021 at 10:00-10:45 AM
3101 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah





Funeral Service
November 5, 2021 at 11:00 AM
3101 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah