Don Crossley Raker

Don Crossley Raker, of High Point passed away peacefully at home with family on August 14, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, he was born on November 22, 1944, in Winston-Salem, NC to the late Horace Odell Raker and Iris Weavil Raker.

From an early age, his upbringing in the Moravian Church and attending the Billy Graham crusade in Greensboro in 1951, when he gave his life to Christ, laid a foundation for his never-ending faith in God.

In 1963 he graduated from Reynolds High School. While growing up, he became a skilled archer, built prize-winning model cars, became interested in TV Westerns, enjoyed scouting and camping trips, and liked “cruising” with friends in Winston-Salem. He also enjoyed going to Christ Moravian Church with his family. He learned the value of hard work at an early age by having several part-time jobs.

Don continued his studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he made many long-lasting friendships. He was at UNC when he met the love of his life Ann AuBuchon on a blind date. They married on June 21,1969, and celebrated their 57th anniversary this year.

Their life together was a true partnership, marked by deep love, faith in Christ, and commitment to one another and their two children Robin and Scott. He loved them unconditionally, was supportive and gave excellent advice, showed pride in their achievements, shared his enjoyment of the outdoors and travels out West, and made their home a happy place with jokes, funny stories, and fun times.

During his college years, Don worked part-time in a clothing store, Van Straaten’s, in Durham and sold books door-to-door during two summers in Dayton and Detroit with The Southwestern Company. He often said that selling books prepared him for life because if he could do that, he could do anything.

After college graduation, he was assistant manager at Van Straaten’s and later manager of McLeod, Watson, and Lanier in Raleigh. Then Don sold pharmaceuticals with Ortho Pharmaceuticals for 32 years. In addition to calling on physicians and pharmacists, Don enjoyed training Ortho sales representatives over the years and running sales training schools for Ortho and McNeil. He was a master at relationship selling that is explained in Dr. Tony Alessandra’s “Sales Based on Different Personalities.” He won numerous awards with Ortho including nine District and Regional Rep of the Year honors and three President’s Trophy awards. He was also appointed Senior Territory Manager after completing the distinguished Pathways Program. He was proud to be a leader of his division of sales reps. One of his former managers remarked that he ‘had served as a model representative for so many of our young people” and that his “enthusiasm, commitment and plain good old-fashioned hard work” had helped make his division and company successful. In addition, Don helped reps to start investing at a young age. He was so happy to help anyone grow and succeed.

A longtime car enthusiast, Don’s first car was a 1948 maroon Chevy Fleetline “turtle” back coupe. In 1981 he purchased a ’29 Ford which was later restored into an eye-popping candy green retro ride by Rich Oakley. Don was proud that it placed in the Top 20 in several shows and that it was also featured in an issue of Street Rodder Magazine. Some years later, Don added a ’32 Ford to his collection. As members of Triad Cruisers of High Point, Ann and Don enjoyed building meaningful friendships at many car shows over the years.

During retirement, Don enjoyed endless hours at his mountain home in Virginia and trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Acapulco, and the Caribbean. As an avid reader of history, Don was often found with a book in hand under an umbrella at Myrtle Beach or Emerald Isle. Another favorite past-time was driving his pontoon boat on Lake Hickory. However, his passion was collecting vintage toy guns and other Western-themed memorabilia, a hobby that reminded him of his childhood love of cowboys such as Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, and Gene Autry. The hobby led him to co-hosting The Greensboro Western Memorabilia and Toy Gun Show with friend Jim Quick for over 20 years. The many dealers from across the country who have attended the show all agree with Don that “it's never too late to be a cowboy.” He valued the many friendships he made.

Don loved his years at UNC and remained loyal to the Carolina blue. He religiously listened to or viewed the basketball, football, and baseball games and Carolina-related podcasts. He was a long-time member of the Carolina Alumni Association and attended many games and one NCAA basketball tournament.

More than anything, Don cherished his time with family and friends and valued his relationship with God. He will be remembered by all for his generous, loving, and kind spirit, his work ethic, his stories about his wonderful childhood and family, his financial advice, his quick wit and humor, and his friendliness. He loved being called Pawie by his granddaughter and cherished the days he and Nena spent with Katie as she was growing up.

Don was a faithful member of Jamestown United Methodist Church for 45 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher and a member and a president of the Anchor Class and on several committees. He credited his faith upbringing as the key to success in his life. He was an assistant Scout leader for Troop 68 in Jamestown and member of the district council afterwards. Don enjoyed reading all his life and acknowledged that “Knowledge is power!”

In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by his brother, Gwyn Anthony Raker. Surviving are his wife Ann AuBuchon Raker, his children Robin Sinclair (Bill) of Holden Beach, NC, Scott Raker (Chris) of Roanoke Va, three grandchildren Kaitlyn Raker of Roanoke, Va., Alison Danford (Hayden) of Raleigh, NC, Averie Martin (Devon) and two great-grandchildren Addilyn and Astyn Martin, all of New Orleans, La., a sister-in-law Marianne Raker, a niece Caroline Caravella (Jason), all of Roswell, Ga., a nephew Bryan Raker (Leeanne) and a great niece Edie Raker, all of Marietta, Ga and many beloved cousins.

A visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 pm on August 21 at Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home, 6000 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro. A Service of Resurrection to the Glory of God and in Celebration of Life will be held at Jamestown United Methodist Church, 403 E. Main St., Jamestown, on August 22 at 11:00 am.

The family would like to express appreciation to Hospice and angel Stephanie who provided support and comfort to them during his final hours. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Jamestown United Methodist Church, to Greensboro Children’s Museum, or to one of Don’s favorite charities The Community Clinic of High Point.