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Liberty mourns loss of George Rawlings, faithful supporter and friend of the university

Liberty University mourns the loss of longtime supporter and faithful friend George Rawlings, a Kentucky businessman and entrepreneur who passed away on March 16 at age 77. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Beverly Sue Rawlings; his three brothers, Herbert, Harold, and Carrol; and many nieces and nephews.

Together with his brothers, George Rawlings and the Rawlings Foundation have made significant financial investments in Liberty over the years, helping it become the world-class Christian institution it is today.

The family’s ties to Liberty go back to the university’s early years. Their father, the late Dr. John Rawlings, was a longtime pastor who served as a key advisor to Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell in the establishment of the university. The John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, housed in the Freedom Tower, is named in his honor. The Rawlings family helped plan many unique features in the building, including the scriptorium, which displays rare books and Bibles valued at over $1 million from the Rawlings’ personal collection. John Rawlings also served on Liberty’s Board of Trustees; Harold Rawlings is a current board member.

“We were saddened to hear of George Rawlings’ passing, and we ask the Liberty family to keep the Rawlings family in their prayers,” said Liberty Interim President Jerry Prevo. “The Rawlings family has played such a vital role in the continued success of Liberty University, always willing to partner with us in our mission to Train Champions for Christ. They are great friends, and we will miss George, his wisdom, inspiration, and example of how to live as a humble servant of the Lord.”

George Rawlings, along with his father, founded The Rawlings Foundation in 2000 with the purpose of advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Christian education around the world. It has funded youth camp facilities and Bible college campuses in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Last year, nearly 200,000 young people came to Christ through the work of The Rawlings Foundation and its ministries around the world.

Liberty Campus Pastor Jonathan Falwell said his father and Herb Rawlings were roommates at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo., in the early 1950s and that’s where the relationship with the family began.

“We love the Rawlings family and admire their heart for young people and their dedication to sharing the Gospel and changing lives across this globe,” he said. “George has been a dear friend to us all here at Liberty and we will certainly miss him. We know God used him to impact so many of our students’ lives here at Liberty, and we are forever grateful for his love and support.”

As a successful businessman, George Rawlings founded The Rawlings Group, an industry leader in overpayment identification and recovery services for health insurers, in 1977. Primarily located in LaGrange, Ky., the company currently employs 1,600 people in the areas of technological and legal expertise. George Rawlings earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Louisville. He is known for extending his benevolence to various causes throughout the world.

Read the full obituary.

George Rawlings, right, with his brothers, from left, Harold, Herb, and Carrol at a Liberty University Convocation in 2015.
George Rawlings, right, with his brothers, from left, Harold, Herb, and Carrol, at a Liberty University Convocation in 2015.

 

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