Rodney Gene Rakes

Rodney Gene Rakes, 86, of Monroe, GA, died Saturday, September 12, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Sol and Virgie Rakes of Haysi, VA.Mr. Rakes was a proud Virginia Tech Hokie cadet, who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical engineering and math. He worked in the fields of electrical and marketing engineering, including forming and running his own company, REMCO, from the early 1970’s until he retired in 1996. During his career years, Mr. Rakes lived in Bristol, TN, Charlottesville, VA, and Huntsville, AL, before moving to GA in 2004. Throughout his life, he was an active church member, with membership during later retirement years at First Baptist Church of Snellville. He loved family, people in general, and computers, as evidenced by almost forty years of organizing and promoting the Rakes family reunion, a decade of attending an almost-daily breakfast group at McDonald’s in Grayson, and many years of involvement with the Huntsville PC Users Group.Surviving are his wife, Betty; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Celeste Rakes of Dover, DE; daughter and son-in-law, Janene and Peter Meents, of Monroe, GA; and daughter, Ginger Rakes, of Lilburn, GA. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Rebekah Rakes Mitchell, Joel Rakes, Daniel Rakes, Ian Meents, Abbey Meents Long, Kate Meents Mercer, and Connor Meents; and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Janice Sue Rakes.Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of life service will be planned at a later date.Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, A Family Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.Read Obituary