Obituary of Earl Rakes

Earl Holmes Rakes of Fincastle, formally of Roanoke, passed away on June 12, 2013 at the age of 81. Mr. Rakes is predeceased by parents, Beverly Davis "B.D." Rakes and Dossie Prillaman Rakes. Mr. Rakes is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou Murray Rakes, of 60 years; his children Davis L. "Butch" Rakes of Fincastle, Barry A. Rakes (Debbie) of Fincastle, Jeffrey E. Rakes (Missy) of Roanoke, Pamela S. Jennings (Cliff) of Roanoke, and Michael A. Rakes (Kathi) of Daleville; twenty-two grandchildren; his sister Carolyn Rakes Mitchell (Paul) of Whitinsville, MA and Beverly Ann Rakes Whitefield of Annandale, VA; his sisters-in-law Fran Murray Arfaras of Trinity, FL., and Linda Biggs Murray of Roanoke, his brother-in-law, Douglas W. Murray (Marty) of Roanoke; numerous nieces and nephews; and a longtime family friend, Robert L. Vaughan of Fincastle. Mr. Rakes was born in Roanoke in 1932. He graduated from William Fleming High School in 1949 and went on to earn an Electrical Engineering Degree from Virginia Tech in 1954. While at Virginia Tech, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and served 8 years in the Army Reserves. Mr. Rakes worked for General Electric for 40 years and retired from the Salem Plant in 1994. While working in GE's Drive Systems Division, he traveled around the world working with the paper mill, synthetic fiber and atomic class submarine and aircraft carrier projects. The funeral service will be held at Northview United Methodist Church at 1 P.M. on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 with Pastor Joe Klotz officiating. Interment to immediately follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 18 from 2-4 and 6-8 at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Northview United Methodist Church, 521 Ridgecrest Drive, Roanoke VA 24019. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home (540) 366-0707.