FRED RAKESTRAW

JOPLIN- A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the First Christian Church in Lamar for Fred Junior Rakestraw, 94, Joplin, who died Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at his son’s home in Bella Vista, Ark., following complications of hip surgery in early December. Interment will be in Memory Gardens in a private service at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home, Lamar.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to First Christian Church of Lamar, Family Life Center Fund, 1208 Walnut St., Lamar, MO 64759.

Condolences may be left online at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Harper Rakestraw, Joplin; daughter, Toni Rakestraw, Bella Vista, Ark.; daughter, Dana Rakestraw, Kansas City, Mo.; son, J.D. Rakestraw and partner Rich Fletcher, Bella Vista, Ark.; granddaughters, Audra White, The Hague, Netherlands, Sarah Trapani and husband Daniel, Cheyenne, Wy., Jenna Dail and husband Michael, Springfield, Jaelyn Hartley and husband Bryce, Springfield; grandsons, Aaron Butler, Kansas City, Mo. and Jace Rakestraw, currently deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln; great-granddaughters, Vivian and Olivia van Mierlo, The Hague, Netherlands and Abigail Trapani, Cheyenne, Wyo.; brother-in-law, Gerald Hughley, Pryor, Okla. and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Thelma Bennet Rakestraw; siblings, Howard, Lois, Nancy and Jack; his first wife and mother of his children, Carol Hackney Rakestraw and former son-in-law, Stan Butler.

Mr. Rakestraw was born July 19, 1927, in rural Barton County and was a long-time resident of Lamar. He most recently resided in Joplin, where he lived with his wife, Maxine Harper Rakestraw. He was a life-long member of the First Christian Church of Lamar. He served the church in many capacities over the years, including working on the church construction crew in 1958, installing and operating the sound system and serving as a deacon.

Mr. Rakestraw was a self-made man with a servant’s heart. His life was an example of love, faithfulness, stewardship, compassion and kindness. He always put others before himself. In his final days he faced every challenge with grace and good humor and in the end he not only showed us how to love one another, he also showed us how to die. We will miss him deeply, but know we’ll be together again.

Mr. Rakestraw was educated in Boston, Golden City and Lamar schools. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17, served aboard the USS Texas and was part of U.S. forces dispatched to China following the end of WWII. Following his honorable discharge in 1946 he returned home to Lamar in order to help support his parents and younger siblings. As the eldest son he took that responsibility seriously, but he also loved his home town. In many ways his sacrifice enabled his siblings to obtain their educations and pursue lives and opportunities elsewhere.

Initially, he worked as a film operator at the Lamar Plaza theater, then as a tank wagon driver for Barney Eagon Oil Company for 20 years (his children would later marvel at his vast knowledge of almost every family farm in Barton County). On November 8, 1953, he married Carol Lee Hackney of Lamar. They were married for 53 years until her death in 2007.

In 1977, the two bought Pappa’s Pizza in Lamar. Pappa’s became a well-known and well loved Lamar institution. He was a natural in the restaurant business - his work ethic, his dedication to serving others and his inherent sense of fairness helped make Pappa’s a place that many people remember to this day. Pappa’s operated from 1977 to 2000. In a season of losses, this man’s faith was unwavering. We honor him and the legacy he leaves us.

In August 2008, he married Maxine Harper in a ceremony in Lamar attended by their respective children, grandchildren and many friends. In their almost 14 years of marriage, the two travelled, enjoyed their family and friends, and served their church and community. In 2018, they moved to Joplin and began another chapter in their life together. They were devoted to one another.