Rawls, Thomas Fitzhugh “Tommy” passed away at the age of 54 on Monday, October 18, 2021. Tommy was born August 5, 1967 in St. Petersburg, FL and raised by his loving parents, Jo Ann Littrell and Fitzhugh Lee Rawls, in Odessa, FL alongside his older brother, Billy Rawls. Tommy went to Citrus Park Elementary and Berkeley Preparatory School prior to graduating from Washington and Lee University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Engineering. He was a member of Kappa Alpha - Alpha Chapter where he met lifelong brothers. In 1991, Tommy graduated from University of South Florida with a Master of Science in Engineering. As a graduate student working on his thesis, Tommy developed a patent for the SAFER device which was intended for rural roads and sounds an alarm inside a vehicle if the driver exceeds a predetermined speed. Following school, Tommy worked as an engineer on projects spanning Florida. He attributed his later successes to his early experiences with Michael Baker Corporation. Specifically, his favorite projects of his earlier career include Universal Studio’s CityWalk, Disney’s Wide World of Sports and Animal Kingdom Entrance, among other infrastructure projects. Notably, Tommy worked as a Professional Engineer for Hillsborough County for 21 years where his service expressed his passion for his community that he loved so dearly. His second most recent position included Program Manager (2014-2017), Hillsborough County Public Utilities, where he implemented a $250 million infrastructure program to decommission two major wastewater plants. Specifically, he redeveloped one of the wastewater plants into a robust park enjoyed today, Carrollwood Village Community Park. Since 2017, Tommy worked as a Project Manager for Hillsborough County Capital Programs Department; he managed and delivered over $200 million in transportation infrastructure for Hillsborough County. He had an integral role on the community we see today. Tommy was a member of Florida Engineering Society (FES), Florida Engineers in Construction (FECON), and FES/FICE Leadership Institute, serving in many leadership roles. He was particularly proud of his involvement with the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) where he received 2017 Florida Region Volunteer of the Year. Tommy was a presenter at multiple conferences for FES and DBIA.
Tommy was a lifelong swimmer. He began on Carrollwood Village Swim Team where he held many state records from the ages 12 to 14 years old. At Berkeley Preparatory School, he held every school swim record, was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, and received the Headmaster Award, recognizing one who “best represents the true spirit of Berkley”. At Washington and Lee, he swam for one year and played Water Polo for 4 years. Following college, he actively participated in the 24-mile Tampa Bay Hurricane Swim relay for 10 years in a row, 7-mile Swim Around Lido Key individual swim, 2.4-mile Hurricane Man Swims, the 2.4-mile Waikiki Rough Water swim, and the 12-mile Swim Around Key West – numerous relays reuniting with old swimming friends and 2 individual swims. He shared his love of swimming with his children up to when Fitz had his final senior college meet at his Alma Mater in 2021. During this time, he introduced them to the world of open-water swimming and had the pleasure of completing multiple open-water swims alongside his children.
Tommy’s faith guided him to have intentional relationships with his family and friends, which can notably be seen in his extensive planning surrounding annual family trips and spontaneous trips with his wife. Johna Daily Rawls, wife of Tommy for 27 years, has been Tommy’s lifelong friend since taking swim lessons together at 5 years old. Tommy was known for being everybody’s best friend and having an infectious optimism, living life through rose colored glasses and always finding the silver lining to any obstacle. His children, Fitz and Madeline, are his legacy, pride and joy. Tommy was the utmost attentive father to their passions and education, and biggest cheerleader of their achievements. Some of his favorite activities included taking out his new boat, golfing, playing board/card games, watching Alabama football, grilling, researching his roster for Fantasy Football, and being an active member of Bay Hope Church. Above all, Tommy’s faith was the driving force in his life and he had full assurance that he would spend eternity with Jesus.
Tommy was preceded by his maternal grandparents, James Kelly and Josephine Heflin Littrell; his paternal grandparents, Fitzhugh Lee Sr. and Anna Watson Rawls; his brother, William Rawls; and his father-in-law, Dr. Wilfred Daily. Tommy is survived by his wife Johna Daily Rawls; his children, Fitzhugh Rawls and Madeline Rawls; his mother, Jo Ann Littrell; his father and stepmother, Fitzhugh Lee Jr. and Tomlyn Rawls; his mother-in-law, Yvonne Daily; his brothers-in-law, Mark Byers and Fred Bosse; his sisters-in-law, Jennifer Byers and Nannette Bosse; and his nieces and nephews Morgan Bosse, Freddie Bosse, Kaylee Byers, Mitchell Byers, Elise Byers, Billy Bosse, and Jared Bosse; and his step sisters, Teal Howard and Ashley Dixon. Tommy was preceded by his uncles, Billy Littrell and Charlie Brown; and aunt, Eugenia Brown; and he is survived by his uncles, Tommy Littrell and Larry Littrell; and his aunts, Anne Littrell and Ann Littrell. He is also preceded by his first cousins, Gregory Littrell and Kelly Littrell; and he is survived by his first cousins, Shannon Rymer, Dane Brown, Lisa Littrell, Zachary Littrell, Robin McCulloch, Douglas Littrell, James Littrell, Wendy White, and Ashley Childress.
Celebration of Life In Honor of Tommy Rawls will take place at Bay Hope Church, Lakeshore Campus located at 17030 Lakeshore Road Lutz, Fl 33558 on Friday, October 22, 2021at 11am. The family will receive friends one hour prior. A reception to follow the service.
For those unable to attend the celebration of life, please copy the link below.
Recorded Service: https://youtu.be/VDAIr8TY2iM
Donations in Tommy's memory can be made to
Moffitt: moffitt.org or Bay Hope Prayer & Care Ministry: bayhopechurch.com , designate "Care" in the note field.
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