DONALD LEE RACKLEY

Donald Lee Rackley, 86, of Gainesville, MO passed away on April 29, 2013 at the Gainesville Healthcare Center. He was born February 20, 1927, in Tarkio, Missouri, son of Fred and Mamie (Allcorn) Rackley.

Don is survived by his wife Dorcas (Farel) of Gainesville and siblings Ida Mae Huse, Hardenville; Betty Bowsher (Lew) of Sun City West, AZ; Delbert Rackley (Mary), Gainesville; Joan Young, Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and Judy Vangilder (Tom), Jonesboro, Arkansas. His survivors also include his 5 children, all of whom live in Ozark County, 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Barbara is married to Don Luna; their children and grandchildren are Jason and Lora Luna, parents of children Josh and Anna, all of Strafford, and Jennifer and Andy Thompson, parents of Sam and Jack, all of Prairie Village, Kansas; Kay is married to Bob Young; their children and grandchildren are Melinda and John Abraham, parents of Alyssa, Matt (deceased) and Dylan; Angie and Brian Calvert, parents of Gage and Grant; Hope and Corey Hillhouse, parents of Lauren and Logan, all of Gainesville; and Bob's son Joe Young of San Antonio. Patty is married to Rex Donley; their children and grandchildren are Karen and Donnie Cunningham, parents of Sara Jo, Bailey, and Garrett, all of Thornfield; Sue and Scott DeRoo, parents of Dawson, Jon, Conner, and Ryan, all of Forsyth; Cindy and Geoff Petter, parents of Austin and Madison of Thornfield; John and Jim Donley. Peggy is married to Doyle Johnson; their children are Julie and Will. Steve Rackley is married to Jenny; their children are Treydon and Trent. The family also includes Mike Mallow, a friend of Steve and the brother he always wanted, who lived with them most of the time from sixth grade till college. Mike is married to Amy and lives in Mtn. Grove; their children are Steven and Lauren. An "adopted" great granddaughter is Rebecca Johnson who lives with John and Melinda Abraham.

He moved from Tarkio to Hardenville with his family as a youngster. He was a 1945 graduate of Gainesville High School. In August of 1945 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea during World War II. On August 30, 1947, he married Dorcas Farel. They had celebrated their 65th anniversary last August.

Don has always lived a life of service whether to God, family, or community. Don was active in the Gainesville Church of Christ serving as a deacon, an elder, song leader, and Sunday school teacher for many years. He was an untrained song leader, but saw a need when other members moved away and chose to fill it. Don has been a member of the Lions Club for more than fifty years. He was the club's first baseball "commissioner" when they started Little League. He worked in the concession stand and helped with field maintenance, but his favorite job was announcing the players and the play-by-play action during games. He was Hootin an Hollarin treasurer from its beginning, and turned over the books just a few years ago. He was chosen as the Lions Club citizen of the year in 1987. Don was one of the founding members of the Theodosia Country Club golf course and enjoyed many rounds there.

His first job after returning from the war was bookkeeper for Ralph Amyx at Amyx Auto, where he worked for ten years. In 1957 he joined friend Jolly Pace in the insurance business. In 1959 he established Rackley Insurance Agency becoming an Independent insurance agent, which he continued doing for 50 years. He was well known as an honest businessman. He helped numerous people with small loans through his Ozark Loan Company and also out of his pocket. The Don Rackley family has always been one of hospitality and generosity opening their home for reunions, visiting preachers, celebrations, and family gatherings.

Funeral services for Don will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Gainesville Church of Christ. Burial will be in the Smith Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, May 1st from 6-8 p.m. at the church. The family asks that memorials be made to the Matt Abraham Memorial Scholarship Fund, or to the G.H.S. Alumni Scholarship. On line condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.