Gary Lee Rakes

Mr. Gary Lee Rakes, age 66, of Clermont, Georgia, went home to be with His Savior, Sunday, January 13, 2013 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following an extended illness.

Memorial services are scheduled for 3:00 pm Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) in Gainesville. The Bishop Bob Weaver will be presiding. The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Alta Vista Cemetery.

Gary was born on February 16, 1946 in Bentonville, Arkansas to the late Virgil Nap Rakes and Lillian (Davis) Rakes. He graduated from Milan High School in Milan, Tennessee. He was employed with Hercules Corporation out of Folkston, Georgia, working his way up to Superintendent of Operations for the Forestry Division which also included trouble shooting and trainer for the company. A scriptorian, he loved the Lord, the gospel, and the scriptures. He had a profound understanding of the Lord's messages to His people, and loved to share it. He was a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints for 22 years and held many positions within the church. Gary blessed many lives through his faith and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He loved to perform service by cooking for people, especially shut-ins and elderly. Many enjoyed his homemade jams and jellies, including his doctors. As an animal lover he raised championship Weimeraners for ten years and was also a "Horse Whisperer." His love of history and travel often led him to historical places, planning at least two trips per year, especially Biblical, LDS Church history sites, ancient civilization sites and Civil War locations.

Gary had a sense of humor and always leaving one feeling better than before he came. He was an advocate for the youth with an emphasis on hard work and education. Thank you to all of our family and friends for the many acts of kindness and prayers on Gary's behalf.

He is survived by wife, Brenda (Dunagan) Rakes of Gainesville; son, Gary L. Rakes; daughter, Kristen Rakes; stepdaughter, Lori Kern; step-son, Benjamin Bonnell; 14 grandchildren; brother, James Rakes; sisters, Carolyn Rakes and Janet Jackson; nephews, Mike Rakes and Steve Rakes; nieces, Kelley Singley, Juli Hicks, Cathy Skelley and Casey Mueller.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be made to The Medical Center Foundation to benefit the Woody Stewart Heart Failure Unit, 2150 Limestone Pkwy, Suite 115, Gainesville, GA 30501. For information contact Maggie James at 770-219-8120.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. Online condolences at
www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.