James Jim Xavier Rawley Jr.

Jim was born to 2nd Lt. James X. Rawley, Sr. and Willadene "Deeny" Vincent Rawley in Lake Charles on October 4, 1944.

His father, a co-pilot in a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the Pacific theater during WWII, died six weeks before Jim was born.

Jim grew up in a large but very close-knit family that included grandparents, aunts and uncles, and many cousins.

He graduated from Landry Memorial High School in 1962, where he competed in track & field events, football, and rode bulls in the rodeo.

Jim joined the U.S. Navy in 1962, and went to submarine school aboard the USS TRIGGER, but he said he wanted more action, and transferred to the destroyer the USS DAMATO.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim served in the U.S. Army beginning in 1972. He went to jump school at Fort Benning, GA and was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC and a graduate of Pathfinder school in Fort Benning, GA. Jim transitioned to flight school at Fort Rucker, AL and became a helicopter pilot. He was honorably discharged in 1977 at the rank of Warrant Officer.

As a civilian, Jim flew helicopters for IHTI& PHI in the Gulf of Mexico for 20 years. He later became the first manager for Pop-A-Lock of Lake Charles.

He was a member of Glad Tidings Church for 40 years, where his passions were the "Overcomers" and prison ministries. He also was involved in a Friday night Shabbat group.

Survivors include his son, Joseph Rawley, of New Orleans, his former wife, Lynne Meole Rawley of Baton Rouge, his aunt, Ione Vincent, and cousins, Jane Brumby and Glenn Pumpelly, who were like siblings, and his dog Scooter, who was a faithful companion.

Visitation will be at Hixson Funeral Home on Ryan Street on Sunday, August 21, 2016 from 12-3 p.m., celebration of life service will follow from 3-4 p.m. Pastor Stephen Perry will officiate.