James William Rackley
May 26th, 1925 - February 8th, 2009
From:	Alton, MO
Visitation:	6pm-8pm Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 Clary Funeral Home - Alton, MO
Funeral:	2pm Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009 Alton Freewill Baptist Church
Burial:	Hickory Grove Cemetery Alton, MO
James William Rackley, age 83 of Alton, MO, passed away February 8, 2009, and was born May 26, 1925, at Alton, MO, to James Riley Rackley and Lena Mae Mitchell. On October 31, 1953, he was united in marriage to Jo Ella Dodson in Hernando, MS, and to this union 5 children were born. James is survived by: 5 children, Janet Rackley of West Plains, MO, Patti Collins and husband Ted of Alton, MO, Nancy Rackley Pinckney and husband Kevin of Springfield, MO, Mike Rackley and wife Angie of Alton, MO, and Mark Rackley and wife Kristie of Alton, MO; 9 grandchildren, JR Bennett, Greg Rackley, Brad Rackley, Amanda Collins, Lindsey Ruch, Evan Ruch, Seth Collins, Hope Rackley, and Derrek Rackley; 1 great-granddaughter, Shaylee Rackley; 3 sisters, Geneva Lewis of West Plains, MO, Millie Carter of St. Peters, MO, and Pauline Bigler of Doniphan, MO; and numerous other relatives and friends. Preceding James in death was his wife Jo Ella; his mother & father, James & Lena, 4 brothers, Oval, Norbin, Carl, & John D Rackley; & 2 sisters Ethel Lewis & Edna Johnson James was a veteran of World War II, serving as an Infantryman, Machine Gun Section 325th Regimental Combat Team, 81st Infantry Division. He received the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge for action in the Palau Islands, and participated in the liberation of the Philippines on Leyte Island. He served in Japan, Okinawa, and Stateside until 1950. James was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, and son. He was a longtime businessman in Alton, and a longtime member of the Alton VFW. Services will be 2pm Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at the Alton Freewill Baptist Church with Bro. Charles Trantham officiating. Interment will follow in the Hickory Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 6pm-8pm Monday, February 9, 2009, at the Clary Chapel in Alton, MO. Arrangements are being made under the direction of the Clary Funeral Home of Alton, MO. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alton VFW.
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