Daniel Clark Rackley Sr.

Daniel "Clark" Rackley, Sr., 83, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, at the Hospice Unit/Journey's Way at the Richmond VA Medical Center, in Richmond, Virginia. Clark was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, on July 23, 1942, to the late James Clark Rackley and Evelyn Bland Rackley.

Clark's family moved from North Carolina to Virginia when he was about 5 years old. He was the oldest of four children and always watched over them and had their backs. Clark was truly an oldest brother, and it shaped him into the type of person who he became and was for his whole life. Everyone felt comfortable around him and turned to him for leadership because they knew he would steer them correctly.

In ninth grade, Clark met his lifelong partner and best friend, Janet. They started going steady at the age of 16. After ninth grade, Clark started his apprenticeship. At 20 years old, Clark and Janet were married and began building a life together. Following the completion of his apprenticeship, Clark was drafted in November of '66 and served his country faithfully for 2 years. When he left for basic training, his wife, Janet, was expecting their first child. Missy was born while he was serving in Vietnam and Clark could not meet his baby girl until she was a couple months old.

After serving in Vietnam, Clark was a sheet metal mechanic by trade. He retired from Sheet Metal Local 100 with over 38 years of service. After retiring, his favorite place to be was with his friends and neighbors at Rappahannock River Estates in Dunnsville, Virginia. On the water, Clark and Janet and their family and friends share some of their greatest memories. Whether he was at the river, fishing or boating, the warmth of the sun always provided him a sense of calmness. When he wasn't at the river, he could be found at the Hopewell Moose and American Legion, where he was a member.

Clark is survived by the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Janet Duff Rackley; his son, Daniel Clark Rackley, Jr. (Shannon); his daughter, Melissa "Missy" Whitmer (Steve); grandson, Gage Rackley; and granddaughters, Cheyenne Rackley, Zoie Mae Whitmer, and Stephanie Cannon (Phoenix).

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home at 2 PM. The family will visit with friends an hour prior, and interment will follow after the service at Sunset Memorial Park.