Obituary

Mike Mickey Edward Rawley, 65, passed on Sunday, December 2 , 2012 in his home on Lummi Island, Washington. A service will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall on Lummi Island with military honors.

Mike is survived by his wife of 44 years Lora Rawley; son Christopher Rawley (wife Sandra), and daughter Tobi Melton (husband Tim); 12 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; also daughters Kelli, Lerin and Emi; his sister Linda Sayers; brother Mark Rawley; numerous nieces and nephews; and his pets Bella, Phoebe and Shasta.

He was the business manager at Diehl Ford for many years. His true passion was selling trawl gear, and he owned a fishing boat with his brother Mark Rawley and business partners Mark and Mike Stone.

Mike was relentless in his energy and compassion for others, often at the sake of himself, and with particular fondness for those in Indian Country and Native communities. To know Mike was to have at your side a person of unlimited positive energy, quick wit, and strong effort to make your life, and the lives of your community, better. All of Indian Country benefited from the largeness of his efforts and the compassion of his convictions. Up until his final moments, he was working on trying to expand economic opportunities to those in Indian Country and kept his illness from notice or discussion by many, so that it would not detract from a focus on others and the greater good.

As a proud Alaska native, Mike was born and raised in and around Ketchikan Alaska, and served in the Marine Corps in 1974. After service in the military, Mike worked in the banking industry before a long association with the Lummi Nation, working in several economic development capacities. Mike then transitioned to private consulting and independent contractor positions with a Native-oriented economic development focus. During the last few years, Mike served as a corporate board member and then executive director for the Native Tribal Development Association (a consortium of tribes established as a nonprofit entity to facilitate and expand economic opportunities to all ofIndian Country). Mike also continued to work in director and officer positions for his own Alaska Native Corporation – the 13th Regional Corporation – up until his passing. Unbeknownst to many, he also continued to volunteer his time for many years to provide organizational, grant-writing, strategic and other assistance to Native Hawaiians. No matter if the hours were long, the load was heavy, or the odds were daunting, Mike would jump into the problem with any friend or associate and spent his final breaths working to make Indian Country, and his greater community, a better place. For the thousands that he has touched, the ripple of his presence will be felt for many years to come.

Condolences and remembrances may be sent care of Lora Rawley (4372 Melcher Ave, Lummi Island, Wa. 98262). Donations may be sent in remembrance of Mike to Whatcom Hospice, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225 or to Island Chapel, PO Box 241, Lummi Island, WA 98262.

Farewell Tribute Information

A service will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall, 2220 N. Nugent Road on Lummi Island with military honors.