Obituary of Davis Lee Rakes

Davis Lee “Butch” Rakes, of Fincastle, formerly of Roanoke, passed away on May 24, 2017, at the age of 61. Mr. Rakes is predeceased by his Father, Earl H. Rakes and survived by his mother Mary Lou Murray Rakes.

Mr. Rakes is survived by his former wife, Janice Rakes; their children Charles “Chuck” Seale,  Anthony Seale (Chasity),  Matthew Seale (Meagan) of Roanoke; and nine grandchildren; Siblings Barry Rakes (Debbie), their children Morgan, Ben and Katie of Fincastle, Jeffrey Rakes (Missy), their children Hunter (Ashley), Caroline and Thomas of Roanoke, Pamela Jennings (Cliff), their children Michael, Sarah and Meagan of Roanoke, and Michael Rakes (Kathi), their children Cabell, Lauren and Christian of Daleville; and a longtime family friend, “Uncle” Robert L. Vaughan, of Fincastle.

Mr. Rakes was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia in 1956. He graduated from Northside High School in 1974 and went on to study at Ferrum College.  Mr. Rakes was a licensed General Contractor in Roanoke, Virginia for 22 years and later raised Angus Beef Cattle in Fincastle Virginia. Butch was a friend to all, and never met a stranger.

The funeral service will be held at Northview United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29, 2017 with Pastor Joe Klotz officiating. Interment to immediately follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 28, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Roanoke Valley SPCA, 1340 Baldwin Ave NE, Roanoke, VA 24012 . Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home, 540-366-0707.