1st Lt. Ryan Rawl, age 30, was killed in active military duty on Wednesday, June 20th, 2012, while serving in the South Carolina Army National Guard in Afghanistan. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the 133rd MP Co. out of Timmonsville SC. Rawl is survived by wife, Katherine (Belknap) Rawl; daughter, Callie (age 4); son, Caleb (age 2); parents, Stanley and Diane Rawl; brother, Stan Rawl (Lyndsey); nephew, Hunter (age 4); niece, Hadley (age 1); and grandmothers, Eleanor Rawl and Bobbie Davis. He was predeceased by grandfathers, Andrew Lee Rawl and Bobby Leo Davis; and an aunt, Sherry Rawl. He graduated from Lexington High School in 2000. While there, Rawl was a member of the wrestling and football teams. He was also chosen to be sent as a representative to SC Boy’s State. Upon graduation, he entered The Citadel as part of F-Troop Company. While attending The Citadel, he received the Mark Clark Award for his outstanding service on the Honor Court. He also enjoyed leading underclassmen in bible study. His major was Criminal Justice. After graduation from The Citadel, Rawl began work with the Richland County Sheriff Department as a deputy. During his time there he was awarded deputy of the quarter and deputy of the year for his region. His last assignment with the department was as a school resource officer at Crayton Middle School. In 2006, Ryan joined the SC National Guard. He was a member of Palmetto Military Academy class #59. The first unit he was assigned to was the 132nd MP Co. out of West Columbia. For a short time he served out of the 131st MP Co. out of Beaufort. As a platoon leader, he loved being a leader and was proud of his troops and the work they were doing. He deployed with the 133rd MP Co. out of Timmonsville. His active duty deployment began September 11th, 2011. He received numerous decorations and honors to include the Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, The Combat Action Badge, The SC Medal of Valor and The SC Meritorious Service Medal. The family would like to thank the community for the huge outpouring of love and support and ask that you continue to pray for families of the others that were killed, those that were injured and his unit remaining in Afghanistan. Memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Ryan’s name. The visitation will be held at Barr-Price Funeral Home in Lexington, SC on Friday, June 29th from 5 – 7 pm. The address is 609 Northwood Road, Lexington, SC 29072. The funeral service will be held at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church in Lexington on Saturday, June 30th at 10 am. The address is 5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072. The burial will follow at Mount Herman Baptist Church in Pelion, SC. The address is 1845 Cedar Creek Rd, Pelion, SC 29123. Tags: 2004
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