Dr. James Alton Rawls Jr.

Posted on March 13, 2024

Dr James Alton Rawls Jr., 94, entered into God’s kingdom on March 9, 2024, after a brave battle with Alzheimer’s.

He was born Oct. 5, 1929, to Sarah and James Rawls Sr. at the family farm in Fellowship, Fla., a small settlement just west of Ocala.

As a boy he often hunted squirrels in the forest surrounding the Rawls’ homestead.

He related stories of his Grandma “At” handing him a piece of cornbread wrapped up in a kitchen towel for lunch, asking him to go catch a mess of fish for dinner.

Dad’s father started his trade working on a one cylinder diesel engine on a clam boat near Ft. Myers, ultimately earning his way up to a Master Mechanic with a paving crew for Duval Asphalt out of Jacksonville.

The entire family would travel with Grandpa while he built and paved roads all across the growing state.

Dad’s first memory of his second “home” of Perry was going to the “Rock Building” in fifth grade as Grandpa’s crew paved an unimproved Beach Road up to Deadman’s Curve.

Dad relayed memories of going out with the crews and sitting by a creek shooting moccasins with his father’s old 22.

His life experiences instilled a great work ethic and a burning desire to learn, which began in earnest at Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville after Grandpa secured a position overseeing the construction of the airfield at NAS Jax prior to WWII.

Dad had always wanted to be a doctor and knew that sports could be an avenue towards that goal. After excelling on the football field in high schoolm Dad was able to secure an athletic scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyanm where he played football and started his college education.

He then transferred on scholarship to the University of Florida where he lettered and was a starter his junior and senior years as a defensive lineman.

Putting off temporarily his goal of becoming a doctor, Dad went into the Army where he was part of the U.S. Counter Intelligence Division.

After earning a degree in education from the University of Florida, he took a position teaching history and coaching football and track at St. Petersburg High School.

When he was accepted into the Florida College of Medicine, Dad moved to Gainesville with his wife, Billie Bernice, and his growing family.

Upon receiving his doctorate, the family moved to Jasper for a short time before Dad was invited by his soon-to-be friend and colleague, Dr. John Parker, to set up his practice in Perry.

From 1964 until 1996, Dad thrived treating generations of patients in Perry.

After closing his private practice, Dad continued treating patients at Buckeye Cellulose until finally retiring in 2013.

Dad married Margie Lockhart in October 1992. They have since enjoyed a loving partnership for 32 years.

Since Dad’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s, Margie devoted herself to providing for all of his needs. His children would like to thank Margie for her steadfast devotion to our father.

Dad is survived by his loving children and stepchildren: Cindy Worsham (Dan, deceased), James Alton Rawls III (Bobbie), Bill Rawls, Curt Rawls (Rebecca), Neil Lockhart (Jen), Mike Lockhart and Melissa Lockhart Everett.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Terence “TJ” Boyle, Danielle Worsham, Curt Austin Rawls (Claire), Avery Rawls (Emily), Jennifer Youngblood, Amelia Griffin (John), Daniel Everett (Allison), and Suzan Massey (Ty).

He is survived as well by his two great-grandchildren, Nolan Rawls and Charlie Griffin.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to our wonderful stepsister, Melissa Lockhart Everett, for the tireless care she has provided for Dad.

Similarly, our thanks go out to Dr. El-Kinge, Dr. Davenport, Dr. Tae Yu and Janice Ricketson, and the entire nursing staff at Doctors’ Memorial Hospital for the exceptional care that they provided to our father.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in memory of Dr. James Rawls Jr. to the McKnight Brain Institute at UF Health, who are working to eradicate brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s. (Visit online at https://mbi.ufl.edu/research/research-areas/chronic-neurological-diseases/ then click “gifts.”)

A celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 20, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Larry Neal Officiating.

Joe P. Burns is in charge of all arrangements.