Clarence Campbell Rawlins

Clarence Rawlins, 82 Leesburg, FL - Clarence Rawlins, formerly of Danvers, Mass, died Thursday March 18, 2021 at Leesburg Regional Medical Center. Born in New Bedford, Mass, he was the son of the late Clarence and Beatrice Rawlins. Clarence was loyal, steady and a role model as a husband, father, grandfather and friend. His calculated, disciplined and passionate approach to life inspired family and friends alike to work harder, think bigger and to always do the right thing. Clarence pursued many interests and hobbies throughout his life. He thoroughly enjoyed woodworking, marksmanship, tennis, piloting planes and playing both the piano and drums. But Clarence didn't just dabble in these activities, he became an expert at each, often saying, "if it was easy it wouldn't be worth doing." This discipline and steadfast commitment influenced his children and grandchildren to approach life and its many challenges with similar vigor and grit. Before earning his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Clarence played drums and piano as a professional jazz musician throughout Massachusetts. A brilliant and innovative computer technician who was years ahead of his time, Clarence began his engineering career at Foxboro Company before being recruited by IBM to work for mission control at NASA. He later moved within IBM onto their Federal Services Division, where he designed cutting-edge computer technology for a variety of top-secret space and defense projects as a government contractor. While exciting new business ventures always beckoned, Clarence always put the best interests of his wife and children first, electing to keep the family in Massachusetts where they were happiest. After years of playing an active and involved role in the lives of his five grandchildren, Clarence retired to Leesburg, Florida with his wife Vivian in 2004. In retirement, Clarence loved visiting the shooting range with his new friends, sitting on the lanai with Vivian and taking long walks to enjoy the "marvelous" weather away from snowy Massachusetts. Up until the day he passed, family and friends knew they could count on Clarence to offer consistently sound advice whenever he was called upon - and he was often. Clarence always had a plan, and those who knew him well will miss leaning on him to figure out their own. Survivors include his son, Jeffrey Rawlins and his wife Martha Rawlins of South Hamilton, Mass; daughter Lynne Brophy and her husband James Brophy of Newburyport, Mass; and his five grandsons, Connor Brophy, Campbell Rawlins, John Rawlins, Jack Brophy, and Nathan Rawlins. Online condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, FL.

Clarence Campbell Rawlins

August 12, 1938 - March 18, 2021