Roll Call Tribute

Jackson Lee Raley 

March 4, 1930 - April 12, 2024 

Jackson Lee Raley passed away on April 12, 2024. He was born in Dallas, Texas, on March 4, 1930, to Willie Belle Perry Raley and Lee Raley. Known affectionately as Jack, he attended Bradfield Elementary where he was a member of Boy Scout Troup #73, and he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. A lifelong Texan, Jack grew up on Lorraine Avenue in Highland Park where he and his neighborhood friends played baseball in the street with the imbedded stop sign as home base. He cherished fond memories of his childhood in the Park Cities. In 1947, he graduated from Highland Park High School where he tried to get a date with a cute cheerleader named Nancy Buckley.

During his senior year at Texas A&M University, he reached the rank of Colonel and served as the commander of the First Air Force Wing. Upon graduation in June 1951 with a BBA degree, he received his 2nd Lt. Commission in the Air Force. He went to Hondo AFB for flight training as a Student Officer, and then to Webb AFB in Big Spring for Jet Training. After graduation from Webb, he went to Pinecastle AFB in Orlando for combat training where he flew the F-80 and then the F-84. In February 1953, he shipped out to Taegu in South Korea and attached to the 49th Fighter Bomber Group. Their purpose was to support our ground troops on the front lines and to bomb or strafe anything that moved beyond the front lines. After serving his country flying F-84 fighter-bombers on 36 combat missions, he transferred to the Intelligence Section of the 5th Air Force Headquarters in Seoul. In June 1954, Jack accepted a Reserve Commission, and in 1961, he ended his military career with an Honorable Discharge at the level of Captain.

In 1954, he returned home to Dallas and immediately began working with his father as a manufacturer's representative covering the southwestern states for McGill Manufacturing and Gill Glass and Fixture Company. He had the privilege of working with his dad only a short period of time, until Lee Raley’s death in 1955. In 1957, Jack joined the John C. Virden Company. During his career as a sales representative, he continued his love of flying using his own Beech Bonanza to cover a territory that included Texas and eleven other states. He was President of Raley Sales Co. in Dallas for forty years. He was also employed by Hinkley Lighting in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2003, out of respect for Jack's 28 years of service to Hinkley Lighting, the company named a line of light fixtures in Jack's honor.

In 1960, he married Nancy Gene Buckley at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. Jack and Nancy were proud, dedicated and loving parents of Kathryn Jane Raley and Donna Lee Raley. Nancy and Jack enjoyed playing golf at many clubs around the country. In 1988, Nancy passed away after twenty-eight happy years of marriage.

In 1991, Jack married Lutetia Hightower Saustad, and they began a new chapter in life spanning thirty-two years of fun and exploring the world together with friends and family. They loved, and were blessed by, twelve amazing grandchildren.

Jack was a member of the Dallas Country Club, American Lighting Association, and Dallas Electrical League. He was a communicant of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church for over fifty years where he served as Chief Usher as well as a member of the usher team. Jack volunteered at Children's Medical Center and delivered Meals on Wheels. He served on the Dallas County Grand Jury.

Jack is survived by his wife, Lutetia; his daughter, Kathy Larson and her children, Robert, Christopher and Scott Larson; and his daughter, Donna Ellis and her husband, Randy and their children, Jackson, Ben and Carolyn Ellis. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, JoAnn Raley; Lutetia's son, David and his wife, Nancy and their children, David Jr., Zachary and Annie Saustad; and Lutetia's son, Don and his wife Megan and their children, Matthew, Cade and Campbell Saustad.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Raley; his parents; his sister, Martha Peak; and his brother, William Raley.

Jack will be remembered as a fine Southern gentleman; a kind man whose thoughtfulness will be greatly missed. He lived his entire life with honesty, courage, dedication and duty. He was persevering, positive and optimistic and not one to complain. Jack endured the pain of arthritis for many years, and he furthered the careers of his dermatologists. Jack lived a long and fulfilling life of 94 years as a husband, father, grandfather, businessman and man of God.

The family gratefully acknowledges Jack's supportive caregivers, Naftali Ambesta, Mark Mugo and Amy Phipps.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held in the Chapel at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 19 The burial will be privately held at Restland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to: Children's Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 847253, Dallas, Texas 75284, or Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75225 or the charity of your choice.