Funeral service for John Leonard Rackley, 87, will be Friday, May 19, 2023 at 5:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with James Corum, Ralph Parrish and Jock Barns officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Alabama National Cemetery at a later date. No visitation is scheduled.
John Leonard Rackley passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at his residence. He was born February 21, 1936, in Morgan County, to Jessie Kyle Rackley and Beatrice Hazel Nethery Rackley.
He was employed by the Redstone Arsenal for U.S. Army Missile Command, prior to his retirement. He served 23 years with the United States Army and 23 years with Civil Service for Redstone Arsenal. He was a member of Neel Methodist Church and a member of the VFW. When in the Army, he was classified as an E-8 First Seargent (Top), a Missile Maintenance Technician, GS 14, was a Drill Instructor, served over 22 years and completed many Army NCO Leadership Schools. He rose through the ranks to E-8 Sergeant and served 3- year long combat tours in Vietnam and one tour in Germany. He went to U.S. Defense Language school in Monterey, California, where he learned to speak the Vietnamese Language. After retiring from the Army, he attended an 18 month course and became a Missile Maintenance Technician. He traveled extensively overseas including the Middle East and Korea. He finally retired at 71 years of age, as a GS 14, although the Department wanted him to extend and work another year in Korea.
Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers: Jerry Rackley and John D. McClanahan, two sisters: Nagatha Morgan and Peggy Jo Barham and a grandchild: Curtis Noll
Survivors include:
Wife – Alice Jeanette Rackley
Sons – John L. “Johnny” Rackley, Jr. (Debra)
Eugene Coleman (Donna)
Daughters – Deborah Noll (Craig)
Anita Oden (Scott)
Seven Grandchildren
Twelve Great Grandchildren
In lieu of flowers: please honor John with Contributions to : Semper Fi Community Task Force @ semperfictf.org ( a 501c3 to help local wounded soldiers)
Peck Funeral Home
