Gerald "Jerry" Rackham

Gerald Dean Rackham, affectionately known to many as Jerry, an ambitious man, who lived a full and vibrant life, left us to join his beloved wife Hazel on May 14, 2025. Born in Ogden, Utah on July 30, 1937, Gerald was reliable in all walks of life, whether it be as a landlord, a business owner, or a family man. His life was a testament to the saying, "Find something you love to do, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
He was the owner and founder of Jerry's Heating & Air Conditioning, which he started in the early 1970s. This was a family business where he demonstrated his values of hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
Jerry, a talented man, had an uncanny knack for turning the ordinary into extraordinary. From his younger years, he had a love for buying wrecked cars and restoring them to their former glory, often with his brothers by his side. His passion for transformation didn't stop at cars; Jerry was always buying homes to fix up for a new rental property. He was a true believer in the potential of things and people, often building friendships with his renters. He always had a project going on, his most recent remodeling of his home. Jerry's witty nature paired with his hardworking spirit and his strong will nothing was impossible.
Jerry was a proud father to Shelly, Ann ( Howard) Dabb, Brent (Tana), Kathy, Sandy (Matt) Anderson, Sharon (Darrell) Rackham Cottrell, and Karen (Mitchell) Jones, and a cherished grandfather to his 19 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. His family was his pride and joy, and he was the solid foundation they could always lean on. As a widower, Jerry is now reunited with his beloved wife, Hazel (Johnson) Rackham, and his parents Vern and Grace Rackham. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, two sisters, and two grandchildren.
A viewing will be held for Jerry at the North Ogden 16th Ward, 205 E. Elberta Dr., North Ogden, Utah, 84404, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 6:00-8:00pm MDT and Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 9:30 am MDT. Funeral services will follow the second viewing on Wednesday at 11:00 am MDT at the same location.
Jerry's life was a beautiful mix of hard work, dependability, and lots of doctor's visits the last few years. Dad we love you and would like to thank you for teaching us how to be independent, and hard workers. Until we meet again dad. We love you!