Timothy Robert Rafferty, 67, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2023 with family at his bedside at his home in Temple, Texas. Tim was born in Houston and attended schools there through graduation from St. Thomas High School. He had natural artistic ability, especially in free-hand drawing and sketching. Tim pursued this talent at Texas A&M University where he received his degree in Environmental Design in 1978, followed with a B.Arch in 1981 from The University of Houston. Tim was a proud Aggie.
As a practicing architect, Tim spent twenty years honing his skills at several local architecture firms in Houston before taking the position of Director of Design and Development at Scott and White Hospital System in Temple. After overseeing several large projects at Scott and White, Tim settled in at Neal Architecture Group where he spent the rest of his career, retiring in 2022 as a Principal/Partner. Like most architects, Tim left a legacy of works across the state of Texas as well as into Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Tim also enjoyed designing custom homes for friends and clients.
Tim loved to travel, especially with his family and especially to the mountains, where he could show off his photographic talents. He was a patient gardener and meticulous landscaper. He loved a great variety of music, was a self-taught guitarist, and became a master of ‘70s classic rock and associated trivia. He sang and played in church choirs for much of his adult life.
In 1978, a seismic event took place when mutual friends introduced Tim to Kata Francis, a beautiful and brilliant belle from Baylor. A year later, they were married, and the rest, as they say, is history: a forty-four year match made in heaven. Marriage, naturally, brought children – Joseph (Abby), Sarah (Mack), and Melissa (Ben) – and grandchildren – Izzy and Declan, Lenna and Mattis. Tim adored them all and expanded his life to include school chauffeuring, dance recitals, horse shows, high school marching band, minor and major home improvement projects and, of course, Legos.
Tim was a man of deep faith which served him well throughout his life, but especially in these last years of proving medical prognosticators wrong. This faith, along with a great sense of humor and an abiding curiosity helped Tim as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. He will be greatly missed. Tim was preceded by his father, Hugh Rafferty, and brother, Kevin Rafferty.
He is survived by his wife Kata Rafferty; a son, Joseph Rafferty (Abby); daughters, Sarah McLaughlin (Mack) and Melissa Van Scoy (Ben); and four grandchildren, Izzy and Declan Rafferty and Lenna and Mattis McLaughlin. He is also survived by his mother, Cathy Rafferty; brothers, Michael and Tom Rafferty; sisters, Mary Pat Rafferty, Maureen Leonard, and Kathleen Jones, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation (https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate). In addition, to honor Tim’s love of gardening, please consider flowering shrubs or outdoor plants.
A memorial service for Tim will be held at 11:00am Wednesday October 18, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Temple with Rev. Gary Anthony officiating. The family will receive visitors from 5-7:00pm Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home.
