Leo Rawson Obituary (1934 - 2026)

On Monday, April 13th, 2026 "Leo" passed into peaceful slumber at the age of 92. He was born in Rupert Idaho to Joseph Leo Rawson and Graye Hannah (Airhart) Rawson on February 22nd, 1934. He moved to Montana at a young age and worked for the Cross Ranch where he met the love of his life in Armstead, Dorothy (Simpson). In 1955 he was drafted into the Army, where he served two years as a MP in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1957. He then came back to Dillon and continued to work for the Cross Ranch. He married Dorothy on May 9th, 1959. They had their first son, Gayle, in 1960 and shortly after moved to Oregon to work on the Alvard Ranch. In 1961 they had their second son, Adrian. Then moved back to Montana where he worked as a powder man for several mines around Dillon, Melrose and Virginia City. In 1969 he moved his family to Red Rock to pursue his passion of ranching, working for Tom Larson. In 1983 he moved his family back to Dillon and continued to work for Tom. After the ranch was sold to Don Harrington he stayed on the ranch working for Don and Mark Harrington. He retired at the age of 86 to take care of his ailing wife. He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter Karla, wife Dorothy and then his youngest son Adrian. He is survived by his oldest son Gayle (Terry) Rawson and daughter Grayce Rawson. Eight grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. His friends Dale and Karla Camp, Mark Harrington and several others, Patrick O'Neil who thought of Dad as a father. He will be forever missed