Alan R. Rae

Alan R. Rae of Caro, age 72, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Heritage Hill Assisted Living and Memory Care in Caro. Al was born October 6, 1953 in Bay City, the son of the late Robert K. & Edith Irene (Butler) Rae. He was a lifelong area resident and graduated from Akron-Fairgrove High School with the class of 1971. He continued his studies at Delta College and later Wayne State University where he studied mortuary science. Following his graduation, Al took a position with the Collon Funeral Home as a funeral associate and emergency medical technician for their ambulance service. He was united in marriage with the love of his life, the former Dale LaPratt, on February 3, 1979. Later that year, and at Dale’s urging, Al began a more joyous career with better hours at Howard Bell Pontiac, Buick, GMC dealership in Caro, later Bell Wasik, as a sales associate in a career that spanned thirty-seven years. He partially retired in 2015, only to be drawn back to his roots in funeral service at Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro, where his knowledge of the community and steady compassion was felt by every family he served.

Al will be remembered as a devoted family man whose quick wit and playful spirit meant no one was ever completely safe from an unexpected trip into the pool. He was a sports fanatic, especially if it involved his son or grandkids, and cheered relentlessly for Michigan State University and the Detroit Tigers. He also spent over twenty years as umpire in chief for the Caro Baseball Federation. Al was meticulous, maybe even neurotic, when it came to mowing his lawn, tending to his garden, or cleaning his pool. Family and friends were welcome any time and were always made to feel how special they were to him. He held his friends close, including those in his camping group, who left him with stories he could tell for years. Al was a faithful member of St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church in Caro, and was a third-degree member of the Caro Knights of Columbus Council 3224.

Al leaves to cherish his memory, his son and daughter-in-law, Jason & Theresa Rae of North Branch; grandchildren, Jacob and Emily Rae of North Branch; brother, Larry & April Rae of Merritt Island, Florida; many nieces and nephews; Dale’s family members, who Al claimed as his own, the Guild, Weissenborn, and Jaster families; and countless friends. In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by his wife, Dale, on February 14, 2014; grandson, Isaiah Rae; father- and mother-in-law, Frank & Marie LaPratt; and special family member, Jerry Guild. Al’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Heritage Hill Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026 at St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church, in Caro with Rev. Isaac Madanu officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Caro. Al’s family will be present to receive friends on Thursday at the Ransford Funeral Home in Caro from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the wishes of the family, c/o Jason Rae, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723.