08/25/2026
OBITUARY
JAY HOYT RACKLEY
Jay Hoyt Rackley, age 74, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 22, 2026, having lived a blessed life. He was born on November 15, 1951, in Marianna, Florida, to Rudolph and Myrl Rackley, and was a lifelong resident of Altha, Florida. He graduated from Blountstown High School in 1969, where he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. Alongside his academics and athletics, he was active in the Future Farmers of America and served as a state FFA officer in 1970.
In his adult years, Mr. Rackley made his living in a remarkable number of ways — as a businessman, farmer, rancher, and home builder, and in logging, trucking, dredging, and construction. He was a jack of all trades who excelled at whatever the task required, and he worked until the job was done.
Mr. Rackley treasured the company of his many lifelong friends and never passed up the chance to visit and talk with them. He was a loyal friend who would be there no matter the circumstances, and his first question was always how he could help or who he needed to call. He was a devoted son to his mother and father, grandson to his grandparents, nephew to his aunts and uncles, friend and playmate to his cousins, and a brother to his siblings.
In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing softball, but nothing gave him more joy than his children and grandchildren. He gave his children a childhood that spared no expense, from traveling the country for baseball and volleyball games, to beauty pageants, to days spent outdoors hunting and fishing — and the whole time he was teaching, coaching, and cheering them on in his stern but loving way. To his children he was Daddy; to his grandchildren he was Paw Paw, and with them the sternness melted away. They were the light of his life. Nothing made him smile more than seeing one of them walk into the carport to see him, or being at one of their ballgames or birthday parties. Up to the very end, all he cared about was making sure his children and grandchildren were taken care of and would be okay.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jon; his parents, Rudolph and Myrl Rackley; and his brothers-in-law, Kinny Peacock and Larry Eldridge.
Mr. Rackley is survived by his three children: Kristy Rackley; Jared Rackley and his wife, Ashley; and Karah Rackley Widick and her husband, Trevor. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Shaylynn Pleasant, Ryder Widick, Lyla Swearingen, Nolan Rackley, Rhett Rackley, and Rylynn Widick; and by three sisters and one brother: Harriett Peacock Eldridge, Gilda Stewart, Hilda Edenfield, and Rudy Rackley.
Pallbearers – Jared Rackley, Trevor Widick, Ryder Widick, Jose Verduzco, David Branton, Ferlon Bagget, Ralph Smith, Randall Chason
Honorary Pallbearers – Gary Shuler, Johnny O’Brien, Jim Taylor, Mike Halley, Gene Bailey, Terry Hansford, Joe Ferolito, Jerry Hatcher, the late Phil Johnson, the late Jack D***s
Funeral services will be held Friday August 28, 2026, at the Peavy Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM CT and the service at 3:00 PM CT. Interment will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery in Altha.
