Obituary of Ronald Rackham

Ronald Rackham Ronald Rackham passed away in the Jubilee Home on Wednesday, November 2, 2005, at the age of 83. Ron is survived by his loving family: his wife Audrey; his daughters, Ruth Perry, Barbara Joyce Rackham, and Betty Aleksiuk; his granddaughter, Bobbi Fox Niwranski, husband Paul and children, Molly and Adam; sister, Ursula Ponech; brother Thomas; sisters-in-law, Beatrice Person and Irma Wagar. The funeral service for Ron was conducted from the McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster, on Monday, November 7, 2005 at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Don Byrt officiating. Molly Niwranski gave a Bible reading (Revelation 21:4). Two solos, “The King is Coming” and “Psalm 23,” were sung by Pastor Jonathan Bounds, accompanied on the piano by Pastor Brownie Bounds. Hymns sung were “The Old Rugged Cross” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” The eulogy was given by Ron’s nephew, Ralph Chamberlain, and a tribute was given by Gerry Sharkey. Honorary pallbearers were all those whose life Ron touched. Active pallbearers were: Pamela Chamberlain, Eskild Johnsen, Rick Klose, Paul Niwranski, George Ponech and Garnet Weaver. Interment followed in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. Ron Rackham was born to Stanley and Agnes Rackham on July 20, 1922, the youngest of six children. He was devoted to his father and mother and was devastated at age 15 when his father passed away at the age of 60 in 1937. Stanley was one of the Barr Colonists who settled the Lloydminster area in 1903. He was instrumental in forming the Co-op Association and the Exhibition Association among many other community-minded endeavours. Ron married Audrey Barker, whom he referred to as ‘the love of his life,’ on August 1, 1944. They had 3 daughters over the next 4 years, and later on raised their only grandchild. Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, Ron and Audrey shared their home and farm operation with 37 ‘trainees’ from Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Ron followed in his father’s footsteps as a dedicated supporter of the Co-op and served for 15 years on the Board of Directors. When Ron retired from active farming in 1990, he became an enthusiastic bowler. Early in his married life, Ron gave his life to the Lord and his life was one of a Christian walk. The Bible tells us that “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.” Ron was all of this – he lived his life of ups and downs with quiet dignity, integrity, generosity, compassion and love. Ron’s caring extended beyond his family. We have seen his quiet tears for the starving or orphaned children in far away places and for man’s inhumanity to man. We have seen his tears for animals that have fallen or have been abused; we have heard him chat with the birds as he worked. Ron loved Canada. He believed farming was about land stewardship and feeding the hungry. He believed it was the responsibility of all of us to look after those less fortunate. An unknown poet’s words describe Ron best: “He never failed to do his best His heart was warm and tender He lived his life to those he loved And those he loved remember.” Card of Thanks Ron’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the many acts of kindness during this sad time. Thank you for the lovely flowers, the food, phone calls, visits, sympathy cards and donations to charity. A special thank you to Dr. Kerlis and all of the staff at the Jubilee Home for their kind and compassionate care. Thank you to the Ladies of Knox Presbyterian Church for the delicious lunch and to the McCaw family for their compassionate handing of the arrangements. Donations in memory of Ron may be made to the Gideon's Society or to the Salvation Army.