Mr. Walter Raleigh Rakes, Jr

Mr. Walter Raleigh Rakes, Jr., age 53 of Patrick Springs, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at his home surrounded by family and friends after a long illness. He was born in Martinsville on April 18, 1954 to the late Walter Raleigh Rakes, Sr. and Rachel Ellen Martin Rakes. In addition to his parents, Raleigh was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Annie Rodgers Martin and grandfather, Reed Martin; paternal grandmother, Lillie Ellen Bowman Rakes and grandfather, Walter Reed Rakes.
Raleigh attended Martinsville High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in October, 1972 where he earned his GED at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, studied and worked in tactical aircraft maintenance. In his six years and two months of service, he attended college, studied jet aircraft logistics, non-commissioned officer leadership school, and jet aircraft 1 and 2 engine specialist school. He served during the Korean conflict for 2 years, and achieved the rank of Sgt. E4 being honorably discharged on August 9, 1978.
Raleigh worked as an oil rigger in Texas for a few years and later as a truck driver. He had recently been employed with the Mail Carriers of America for several years. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and had achieved the Order of the Arrow in Troop 61 in Martinsville. He was involved with the development of Camp Powhatan in the Blue Ridge Mountain Scout Reservation and later assisted the troop leaders. He also was a member of the Abate Society for motorcycle rides to raise funds for various charities. He had lived in Patrick Springs on Spring Road in a cabin that he had built, and was a caring, loving individual and faithful son who spent his life helping others.
Raleigh is survived by his brother, Victor Keith Rakes of Patrick Springs; maternal grand-aunt, Gertie Rogers Cates of Patrick Springs, uncle, Curtis Martin of Martinsville; paternal uncle, John Rakes of Carthage, North Carolina, and aunt, Phyllis Richards Rakes of Norfolk. He is also survived by many cousins from both sides of the family as well as a previous wife, Pam Huffman Rakes, and two stepdaughters, Sarah and Heather.
A memorial service will be held at the Walter Raleigh Rakes, Jr. homeplace at 2637 Spring Road, Patrick Springs on August 4, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. with military rites to be conducted by the Patrick County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard. Cards of sympathy may be sent to Victor Rakes, P.O. Box 11, Critz, Virginia 24082, or online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com. The family would like to thank all caregivers and friends for all of their help and support over the past year, with a special thanks to Hospice of Patrick County. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Patrick County, 835 Woodland Drive, Suite 101, Stuart, Virginia 24171 or to the National Brain Cancer Foundation, 22 Battery Street, Suite 612, San Francisco, California 94111. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is in charge of the arrangements.