Thomas Calvin Rawlett

Thomas Calvin Rawlett was born January 29, 1931 in Arlington County, Virginia, to Thomas C. Rawlett and Virginia Bise and passed from this life on August 15, 2012. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia J. Rawlett and is survived by his children, stepchildren and grandchildren.

Tom served in The United States Navy as an aircraft mechanic. Tom earned a BA in Business Administration from Southeastern University in Washington, DC and a MS from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. He also achieved certification from the Maryland Institute of Alcoholism Studies and attended Washington College.

After achieving sobriety in his own life through Alcoholics Anonymous, Tom served as a Substance and Alcohol Abuse Counselor for The Pilot House and Riverside Hospital. He also served as the Chief Executive Officer and counselor for the Serenity House Substance Abuse Recovery Program. Tom was awarded Virginia Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor of the Year in 1984. He spent much of his adult life trying to help others fight addiction and abuse. Tom lived a simple life in which he frequently and openly spoke of his own journey through recovery. He was an avid reader who loved poetry and jokes. In death, he joins his beloved wife, Sylvia.

Tom will be buried at Parklawn Memorial Park in Hampton, Virginia, on Saturday, August 25th at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tri County Pastoral Counseling, 220 West Burke Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton, 23666.