Col. (Ret) John A. Rakestraw

John A. Rakestraw, age 82, of Temple died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, August 22, 2008 at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, August 26, at First United Methodist Church in Little River with the Rev. Dr. Linda Mitchell and the Rev. Mary Katherine Morn officiating. The Rev. George Price will be singing the special music and Judy Gotcher will be delivering the eulogy. Burial with full honors will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. He was born July 28, 1926 in Houston to Robert W. and Lois (Frost) Rakestraw. He was reared and educated in LaPorte where he graduated from LaPorte High School. He completed a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Texas Tech, a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary. He married Johnnie Margaret Price on January 24, 1950. He entered the Methodist ministry in 1947 and served churches in the Texas Conference, the North Texas Conference, the Northwest Texas Conference and the Central Texas Conference. In December, 1965 he entered the U. S. Army as a chaplain and served at several bases in the United States, Germany and Panama. He completed two year-long tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired from the Army in 1984 with the rank of Colonel. He was preceded in death by his first wife and married Linda Rogers on April 12, 2002. Survivors include his wife, Linda Rakestraw of Temple, two sons, John A. Rakestraw, Jr. and wife, Mary Katherine Morn of Arlington, Virginia, Charles Rakestraw of Longview, Washington and one daughter, Jo Anna Smith and husband, Mike of Sumner, Washington. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Michael Smith and wife, Nicole of Abilene, Justin Smith of Columbia, Washington, Caleb Rakestraw-Morn of Arlington, Virginia, Laura Rakestraw of Bellingham, Washington and Eric Rakestraw of Longview, Washington and three great-grandchildren, Micaela, Taryn and Riley Ann Smith of Abilene. Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church in Little River or Scott & White Hospital, c/o Hematology Department for Patient Enrichment, 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508.