James E. Rakestraw
Posted By Lake Shore Funeral Home On November 29, 2018 @ 9:09 pm In Obituaries | 18 Comments
James E. Rakestraw went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.
Service Information: Funeral service will be held 11AM Wednesday, December 5 at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Milford Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8PM Tuesday, December 4 at the Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco.
James E. Rakestraw was born in Italy, Texas to Jimmy and Rosei (Smith) Rakestraw. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and was a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo. James worked in the healthcare industry for 28 years spending 16 of those years working at Lake Shore Village as an Activity Director. He was also an integral part of the local No Child Left Behind Act partnering up with McLennan Community College to head the project. James was a member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas and the Rose of Sharon Consistory #180. James was one of a kind and will be missed and loved by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Carolyn Smith; and brother, Timothy Smith.
Survivors include his wife, Diane Rakestraw of Waco and her daughter, Kindra Clark of Jackson, MS; brother, Clarence Rakestraw of Waco; sisters, Michele Rakestraw of Cleburne, Dyanne Hill and husband Richard Lucus of Hillsboro, and Tommie Jane Rakestraw-Allen of Waco; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family would like to thank the staff at Lake Shore Village and Interim Hospice for their love and care for James. The family would like to also acknowledge the kindness shown from the Masons in their time of bereavement.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
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Condolences for the family of “James E. Rakestraw”
Sincerest condolences & prayers for the family. Sorry for your loss.
Sincerest condolences & prayers for the family.
Diane. I was so sad to hear that James has passed. He was such a good man. Unique, fun, a gentleman, …always on his own terms. He managed to fit three lifetimes into his years on this earth.
I used to watch him with his residents and they loved him, as he did them. He adored you and was a rock to family and friends.
James will be missed terribly but never forgotten.
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a very special man and I will always smile when I think of him.
James was my high school classmate, always the comedian. Sincerest condolences to the family.
We sincerely give our condolences and prayers for the family at this tough time. Our hearts are hurt and James was a good man with a good heart. He was always kind and we will miss him dearly. Love always.
My mother Maureen Cook was a resident at Jeffrey Place when James was activity director there. He was always so sweet to her and she thought so much of him. My sincere condolences to you at this time. Heaven is a little brighter with James there.
Our prayers are with you guys love
Our prayers are with you guys love
My heartfelt condolences to Diane, and the Rakestraw family, James was a very good friend and will truly be missed. Rest easy my friend Class of 81
My prayers are with your family. I went to school and played ball with James and Clarence. May God bless you in this time of loss.
Prayers to the family…James you will truley be missed
Diane and family
I am so sorry for your loss. I know James will missed by many nursing facility residents and employees. He was one of the most dedicated individuals to the residents and the causes he believed in. But I know nobody will miss him more than you. Diane you and James had one of the greatest loves I’ve ever witnessed. My condolences and sympathy. You are in my prayers.
Diane and family
I am so sorry for your loss. I know James will missed by many nursing facility residents and employees. He was one of the most dedicated individuals to the residents and the causes he believed in. But I know nobody will miss him more than you. Diane you and James had one of the greatest loves I’ve ever witnessed. My condolences and sympathy. You are in my prayers.
Diane,
I am very sorry for what you and James went through.
He was a great guy and you’re a great person.
He was also very good at his job and treated everybody well.
I’ll see you soon.
To Diane, Dyann, Michele, Clarence . Rhonda. Chris, Bridget, Cherion, and of course, my King Kong. I so regret that i missed his service, I only found out today.
Working at Walmart I have met many in the nursing home industry that knew James, and they all have said nothing but the best of him. Being raised by Ms. Rakestraw, I wouldn’t expect anything less than what he was… a man of integrity, approachable, and always willing to help someone.
Ive always said the day that Rakestraw/ Smith’s moved next door to us in the mid-70’s changed my life for the better.
Please know that I love you all!
James, my brother, rest peacefully with your
bad self. He looked good and he knew it.
God will continue to comfort you.
Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss of your Husband, Brother, and Uncle. It is so hard to loose a family member especially at a young age. Please remember that we are promised by Jesus that we will have an opportunity to see our loved ones again here on earth and that sickness and death will be gone. John 5:28+29 and Revelation 21:3+4 gives us such a wonderful hope, please read it for yourself or go to jw.org for more information or take advantage of the on line bible study.Please be encouraged by these things as I was when I lost my Dad.
Suzanna Neicy Summers
Diane : “He will wipe out every tear from their eyes & death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said : ‘Look ! I am making all things new.’ Also he says: ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’ ” Revelation 21: 4,5
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To the Rakestraw Family,
I sincerely give my condolence to your family, my heart is broken James made me feel like a family member inviting me to different family function at his house, I truly appreciate the kindness he showed as well as the rest of the family. I will continue to pray for God’s grace and mercy and also the memories you have of James. May God Bless you and keep you. I Love You!