Tributes

Albert “Al” Victor Rakus (known as Butch by his family) joined our Lord on March 31, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on May 5, 1948, in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, to Albert V. Rakus and Margaret M. Zsido. His parents and Brother-in-law, Kevin Ferrell predeceased him in death. Al is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Lisa (Hill) Rakus; brother, Joseph Vincent Rakus; In-laws, Tom and Margaret Ann Hill; Brother-in-law, Tom Hill Jr.; Sisters-in-law, Laura Clayton (Tom), Julie Collard (Jim), and Jennifer Ferrell; Nieces, Heather Wright (Joel), Amelia Reveley (Collin), Caitlin Collard, and Kassandra Hill; Nephews, Travis Clayton (Catie), Clark Clayton, Lance Clayton (Resa), Collin Collard, Jack Clayton, and Jacob Ferrell; Great Nephews, Nikoli Wright, Sumner Wright, and Korvin Wright. Al attended Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic School in Pennsylvania. He moved on to Bishop Mc Devitt High School and graduated in 1966. Al signed up for the Air Force in May of 1967 and served 9 years in the USAF. He left the military in May of 1975 with honors and stayed in San Antonio, Texas. Al was involved with the youth group at St. Matthew’s, taught CCD classes, was in the choir and chaperoned field trips for the youth. Al attended classes at the University of Texas at San Antonio where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1980 and continued on to earn a Teaching degree in 1987 with a concentration in History and P.E. Soon after receiving his teaching certificate, he and Lisa married. In 1989, Al received a job offer at Klein ISD in the Houston area on a Friday, two weeks after school had started. He was asked to report to work on Monday. He drove to Houston on Sunday night to start his dream job the next day. Al began his career teaching U.S. History and Texas History at Wunderlich Intermediate School and taught one year of girls P.E. He moved up to Klein Collins High School and taught U.S. History, World History, AP U.S. History and AP European history. Al was selected and honored as “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” by his students four different times during his teaching career. He retired with 33 years of teaching. After retirement, he moved back to San Antonio with his wife. Since returning to San Antonio, he decided to substitute teach in NISD. He started at Jefferson Middle School, where his nephew Jacob attended. With Jacob’s initiation, Al was known as “the Judge” by the students at Jefferson. He then moved on to Stevenson Middle School. This school was where he did his student teaching many years prior. Stevenson was also his favorite and final school. Al’s passion was to be a coach. He was very knowledgeable in football, basketball and baseball. While student teaching at Stevenson Middle School in San Antonio, he coached the basketball B team to a district win. He took pleasure in coaching CYO Basketball. He very much enjoyed watching his nephews play football, basketball and baseball. He would always provide pointers to help them be successful. Al was prideful each time he attended a nephew’s piano concert. He was very impressed with their musical ability as he could not carry a tune. Al was a collector of many things. He enjoyed looking at and driving muscle cars. He collected football, basketball and baseball cards, trains, Hot Wheels cars, Pez containers, die-cast cars, Star Wars, miniature wargaming figures, and Harry Potter items, etc. He always said that he collected almost everything. Al was a kind soul, a people person, a good husband and he enjoyed life! He enjoyed conversing with anyone and everyone daily. He was loved deeply and is truly missed. The family would like to sincerely thank the doctors and nurses at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital - Westover Hills for all the loving care they provided. SERVICES Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 5:00pm-8:00pm, with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, with a graveside service at 2:15 pm at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. For personal acknowledgement, please sign the online guestbook at www.missionparks.com in the Tributes section. MISSION PARK FUNERAL CHAPELS NORTH 3401 CHERRY RIDGE DR. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78230 (210) 349-1414

Tributes

Albert Victor Rakus

May 5, 1948 - March 31, 2024