Thomas Daniel “Dan” Rakestraw, 81, of Tifton passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. John S. Gibbs, Jr. officiating. Mr. Rakestraw will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
John Rakestraw, JD Rakestraw, Walker McKellar, John Brannen, Novin Darcey, Randy Rakestraw and Jeff Dixon will serve as pallbearers.
Born December 27, 1944, in Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Rakestraw was the son of the late Bartow Alton Rakestraw and Mary Elizabeth Cottle Rakestraw. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Wallace A. Rakestraw.
Mr. Rakestraw led a very interesting life through his career in law enforcement, which began with him serving as a Georgia State Trooper before working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, where he retired in 1995 as a Special Agent.
In his spare time, he loved to go hunting and fishing. You could always find him working and tinkering with anything in his yard or in his shop. His dogs were greatly loved and good company to him.
Mr. Rakestraw is survived by his loving wife, Bobbie Rakestraw of Tifton; one daughter, Kelly McKellar of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, John and Becca Rakestraw of Tifton; and three grandchildren, Walker McKellar, Lily McKeller and JD Rakestraw.