Fitzhugh (Fitz) Lee Rawls, Jr. was born July 14, 1935 in Rocky Mount, NC to Anna Gray Watson and Fitzhugh Lee Rawls Sr. His family moved to Tampa in 1938 and Fitz was raised in South Tampa, attending Gorrie Elementary, Wilson Junior High and Plant High School. He remained active in many reunions for the class of 1953.  Fitz graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1957 with a degree in Business and Engineering Administration. After graduation, he took a job in Decatur, AL where he met and married his first wife Jo Ann Littrell. Shortly thereafter the newlyweds moved to Tampa where Fitz took over the family business, Parts Market, and managed several commercial real estate properties. Fitz and Jo Ann raised two sons William Heflin Rawls and Thomas Fitzhugh Rawls on Lake Calm in Odessa, FL. 

In 1988 Fitz married Tomelyn (Tomi) Rawls with whom he shared a love of tennis, skiing and travel.  They were adventurous travelers exploring many different countries and continents all over the world. Fitz organized and led numerous ski trips in the US and abroad for Tampa Bay Ski Club and Bowen Travel for over 30 years. He was a member of Tampa Yacht and Country Club and had a regular Tuesday night men’s tennis group with whom remained close even after he finally hung up his racket in his eighties. An avid fisherman, Fitz also enjoyed nearly 30 summers in Manasota Key, FL with Tomi and their children and grandchildren.

He was a resident of Canterbury Tower and was known to all for his friendly and sociable demeanor. 

Fitz was preceded in death by his wife Tomelyn (Tomi) Rawls, his parents, Anna and Fitzhugh Rawls, sister Gene Brown (Charlie), his sons Bill Rawls and Tommy Rawls (Johna).  He is survived by grandchildren Fitzhugh William Rawls and Madeline Daily Rawls, nephew Dane Brown, niece Shannon Rymer (Steve), first cousin Richard Rawls Barnett (Martha), stepdaughters Teal Dixon Howard (Chris), Ashley Dixon Danzi (Mark) and grandchildren William Baker Danzi, Caroline Elizabeth Danzi and Hunter Dixon Danzi. A celebration of Fitz’s life will be held at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City on Friday, August 23rd at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in the memory of Tomelyn Baker Rawls.