Obituary for Franklin Pifer Racey
Franklin Pifer Racey, 84, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, November 4, 2018 with his children by his side.
Franklin was born on March 12, 1934 the seventh of twelve children cherished by Raymond Mitchel Racey, Sr. and Ola Mae Rosenberger Racey. He was a graduate of James Wood High School Class of 1953 and graduated from Shepherd College in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U S Army. He attained the rank of Master Mason at the Portage Lodge number 123, Elmore, Ohio. He retired from Lockheed-Martin Corporation after 35 years of service, having been instrumental in helping to establish Martin Marietta in the foreign marketplace including Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East.
Surviving Franklin are his children Karen(Scott) Dunsmore of Grosse Ile, MI; Andrew Franklin Racey of Winchester and Rory (Russell) Ellis of Larchmont, NY; grandchildren Valerie Fournier, DVM, Michael Fournier, Maxwell Ellis, Georgia Ellis and Seth Kibler. In addition to his children, Mr. Racey is survived by his life partner, Linda Newman and her daughters, Lisa Newman and Rachel Waddy.
Franklin is also survived by brothers, Joseph Racey, Charles Racey and John Racey, and sisters Martha Wakeman, Jeannette Alexander, and Ann Butler. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond Racey, Jr, and Jack Racey, and sisters Hazel Myrick, Naomi Middleton and Mildred Georger.
Franklin was proud to be the President of the 1953 James Wood Class Reunion Committee and they will miss his leadership for their annual gatherings. He joyfully traveled the world with his navigator, Linda. He loved to be outside at his home on Little North Mountain, gardening, feeding his fish in the pond and listening to the bells from the church down the road.
Franklin will be remembered for his unconditional support of family and friends whenever and wherever he was needed. His kind heart and generous soul was a blessing to those who knew him and to so many that he supported without their knowledge.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home, Winchester, Va. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Steve Melester officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Franklin was born on March 12, 1934 the seventh of twelve children cherished by Raymond Mitchel Racey, Sr. and Ola Mae Rosenberger Racey. He was a graduate of James Wood High School Class of 1953 and graduated from Shepherd College in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U S Army. He attained the rank of Master Mason at the Portage Lodge number 123, Elmore, Ohio. He retired from Lockheed-Martin Corporation after 35 years of service, having been instrumental in helping to establish Martin Marietta in the foreign marketplace including Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East.
Surviving Franklin are his children Karen(Scott) Dunsmore of Grosse Ile, MI; Andrew Franklin Racey of Winchester and Rory (Russell) Ellis of Larchmont, NY; grandchildren Valerie Fournier, DVM, Michael Fournier, Maxwell Ellis, Georgia Ellis and Seth Kibler. In addition to his children, Mr. Racey is survived by his life partner, Linda Newman and her daughters, Lisa Newman and Rachel Waddy.
Franklin is also survived by brothers, Joseph Racey, Charles Racey and John Racey, and sisters Martha Wakeman, Jeannette Alexander, and Ann Butler. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond Racey, Jr, and Jack Racey, and sisters Hazel Myrick, Naomi Middleton and Mildred Georger.
Franklin was proud to be the President of the 1953 James Wood Class Reunion Committee and they will miss his leadership for their annual gatherings. He joyfully traveled the world with his navigator, Linda. He loved to be outside at his home on Little North Mountain, gardening, feeding his fish in the pond and listening to the bells from the church down the road.
Franklin will be remembered for his unconditional support of family and friends whenever and wherever he was needed. His kind heart and generous soul was a blessing to those who knew him and to so many that he supported without their knowledge.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home, Winchester, Va. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Steve Melester officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.