Ronnie Byron Rakes

Ronnie Byron Rakes, 78, of Chester, VA, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Born in Clintwood, VA, he was the son of the late Cecil Rakes and Ivel Mullins Rakes Harris and her husband, James.

After traveling around Europe and the USA for most of his Air Force career, he settled in Hopewell, VA, in '86. He retired in '88, while stationed at Langley AFB. From there, he had several jobs and even his own business, for a couple of years, working on cars, one of his favorite things to do. Eventually, he started working for Truck Stop Games and became a supervisor, requiring him to travel from Texas to Connecticut and from Florida to Wisconsin. He loved to travel and see new places like Alaska. Nearly every place he was stationed had a garage, where he worked on cars, in his spare time or at a local body shop.

He loved animals and had several that were dear to him. Belle went duck hunting with him while stationed in Washington State and Utah. Tiger, who became a family member, traveled the World with the family early on. TJ was his constant companion for 21 years. And he was the only one able to make friends with the ornery LS, who just recently joined the family and immediately became his.

Between stints in the Air Force, he enjoyed Southside Speedway and was a member of Dale Martin's race team. His interest in cars led him to become one of the charter members of the Oldies But Goodies Classic Cruisers Car Club, in Hopewell. He and his friends enjoyed meeting and working on their 'classic cars' in the old body shop of Broyhill Ford. Those were good times.

He enjoyed fishing in Lake Gaston and mostly being out in his boat. Every year, he would return to his birthplace for a family reunion. Eventually, the number dwindled, and he would meet a couple of cousins every year and have their own 'little' reunion. The guys would drive around recounting stories of their days in Dickinson Co., VA, every year and never seemed to tire of the same tales.

He also enjoyed NASCAR, especially when Dale Earnhart was driving. In the last few years, his favorite thing to do was to read while listening to Fox News.

He was a loving and supportive husband and father with a hilarious sense of humor and endless knowledge.

Mr. Rakes is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Connie Rakes; two daughters, April Rakes Ripchick (Jason) and Rebecca Rakes; one granddaughter, Erica Ripchick; his sister, Brenda Price (Eric); his nephew, Ian Price (Holly); and his "chosen" nephew, Jimmy Nickerson.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morris & Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Bermuda Memorial Park, Chester, VA. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wreaths Across America (Group ID VA0018P, Location ID VACPNH) in memory of Ronnie Rakes.