Christopher Rakes

Memorial Services for Christopher Lee Rakes, 53, will be held Tuesday October 14th at 11am in Plano, Texas at Life Central Church. Graveside Services will be held in Bartlesville, OK on Wednesday October 15th at 1pm at Memorial Park Cemetery. Christopher Lee Rakes was born January 26, 1961 in Wichita, KS to Marsha and Cliff Rakes. As a toddler Chris would say "aye" like a sailor or pirate instead of "yes," so he was nicknamed "Skipper" until he was about 10-12 years old. The family participated in motor boating and sailing, many times on Oklahoma lakes. Chris took guitar lessons, wanting to be in a "rock" band. Attention soon turned to advanced 12 string which he did quite well. The family moved to Plano, TX Chris's senior year in high school. He pursued drama and performed in several productions at school and United Methodist Church. He also loved photography, and graduated in 1979. After graduation Chris went to college at East Texas State, in Commerce TX for 2 years. Shortly after, he dabbled in professional photography for a while before returning to Wichita to manage his uncle's steak house. It was in Wichita where he met and married Teresa Duncan in 1983. The couple had 3 beautiful children Autumn, Tatum and Eric. Starting in Oklahoma, Chris devoted a 20 year career to the Quik Trip Corporation. Christopher and Coni Dean met in 2004 and were married on July 4th, 2006. They moved to Dallas to advance with the company, where Chris and Coni made their home in Plano, Texas for the last seven years. They are members of Life Central Church of Plano. Together they loved to travel and planned every 4th of July Anniversary/Vacation at various beautiful destinations with as many friends and family that could make it each year. In December 2011, Chris was diagnosed with 4th stage renal cancer. Chris's loyalty to his loved ones, his courage, his fight, his admirable dignity, and most of all Chris's unconditional love and generosity have touched the hearts of many and the love he so willingly shared will never be forgotten. Chris's life was an inspiration to so many who knew him, and ultimately, looked up to him in many ways. As a father, a husband, a brother, a best friend, a son, an uncle, and a brother in Christ. Christopher leaves his wife Coni Rakes, his children Autumn Jean, Tatum Kay, and Christopher Eric, his step children Chelsey and Dalton Springer, his parents Marsha Rakes, and Cliff and Linda Rakes, his brother and sister in-law Jason and Rhonda Rakes, niece Laura and nephew Andrew, 3 grandchildren Kaylee, Rowen and Luna, and special friends Russ and Pam Zora, Claudia Stein. KC Cuglieta and niece Molli Stumpff. These lives, among so many others that Chris touched in such positive ways will forever be changed and better for having had him as a part of them. Our hearts celebrate the life of a truly amazing man, as we look forward to the day we join him with his savior in Heaven.

Christopher Rakes

January 26, 1961 - October 10, 2014