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Michael Rakestraw Obituary

RAKE- STRAW Michael Rakestraw, 48, passed away April 22, 2009 following a traumatic brain injury. Mike graduated in 1978 from Sandalwood High School and later graduated from FSU. He has resided in Tampa since graduating from FSU. Mike leaves behind 2 daughters, Alexi, 18 and Linzy, 16. He also leaves behind his mother, Faye and sister, Susan. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 5th, 7pm at Kernan Blvd. Baptist Church Pavilion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the KBBC building fund. Another memorial will be held in Tampa. For more info. on the Tampa memorial, please go to www.dibuzz.com Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

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Published by Florida Times-Union on May 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Rakestraw

19 Entries

Susan Hajjar

May 29, 2025

I love you and I have missed you every single day that you've been gone. I will see you again someday.

May 16, 2009

hey just a line of love and strenght to you love david m

May 13, 2009

Faye, Susan, Mike
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Hajjars

Angelia Patterson

May 13, 2009

I grew up a part of the Rakestraw family, and if there is anything that I have learned is that they persevere. I know that Mike was very proud of his family. He touched a lot of lives while on this earth, and his kind and loving sprit will be greatly missed by everyone.
All my love to the family.

Lauralee and Butch Till

May 11, 2009

Susan, Mike and Girls:
We are both so sorry for your loss. If you can judge a man by his family, then you brother was a truly fine man, and we are sad that we did not have the chance to know him. You know, of course, that we are ready to help in any way that we can.
Love you all.

Deborah Cock

May 11, 2009

I feel honored to have known Mike and been able to call him a true friend for over 5 years. He will forever be remembered and missed by his 'extended' family on the Island. It became obvious very quickly that his daughters' were the light of his life and he cherished any time spent with either of them. To his entire family...my prayers go out to you. To Mike...thank you for being there so many times when I needed a friend!

Karen & Chris Rich

May 7, 2009

Mike and his entire family will remain in our thoughts and prayers. May the days ahead become easier for all of those who loved him and may we all remember Mike with a smile.

Sally Blevins

May 7, 2009

I will always miss Mike. I still look around for him when I am out on the Island. He was such a sweet guy. He never had a bad word about anyone. Most of all he loved his daughter so much and would alway tell wonderful stories about them. I was blessed to know him.

Donny Glisson

May 5, 2009

Mike and I went to Sandalwood together, but we really became close when we were roommates for 3 years while living in Tallahassee attending FSU. Mike was a true friend who never let me down, and even though we didn't see much of each other in the last few years, Mike was a man I always admired and respected. This world may never know a more genuine, down to earth guy. He will be missed by everyone, especially his daughters and mother. Goodbye Straw, I know you are in a better place.

Robin Foyt

May 5, 2009

Faye, Susan, Linzy & Lexi,

Our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you at this time. May God comfort each of you in your own way.

Lamar and Brenda Wilson
Russell Wilson
Randy Wilson
Robin Foyt (Wilson)

Kevin Kinslow

May 5, 2009

I have truly lost a great friend who was like a brother to me I have so many great memories of all of us growing up together.I know he is in a better place now but Mike you will truly be missed very much.Faye and Susie remeber that I will always love you very much.

Jodi Shields

May 4, 2009

Faye, Susan and Mike,
My prayers are with you and I wish I could be there tomorrow, but I will certainly be at the memorial in Tampa, sharing my happy memories of Mike and the wonderful father and man that he was. God bless you all.

Susan Hajjar

May 4, 2009

Mom, Linzy & Lexi- I love you all. We have lost a wonderful son, father and brother, but he has left us with many great memories. He will remain in our hearts forever.

Renee

May 4, 2009

I will miss him.

Sharon & Rock Rutson

May 4, 2009

Faye, Susie & Mike,
What a wonderful son, brother & father he was. We thank God that he was in our lives even if it was for such a short time.
We love you

Connie Bond

May 3, 2009

I will always remember Mike. What an awesome Man. He will always be missed

Batbara Kinslow

May 3, 2009

Faye, Susie and Mike
Our thoughts are with you as we remmber
the years and watching Mike grow up to
be a wonderful young man and father. He
has gone to a better place.

Angie, Jason and Jo Bryant

May 3, 2009

Aunt Faye, Susan and Mike

Hold tight to memories for comfort,
lean on your friends and family for strength,
and always remember how much you are cared about. We love you!! God Bless!

Chuck Hirschman

May 3, 2009

This world has lost a truly good man. The good news is that Mike has gone to a better place. I will never forget how genuine and compassionate he was as a friend and a fellow football player in high school. I played football with a lot of guys in my career but I can honestly say that there were none that I respected more than Mike Rakestraw.

Take care brother and God bless you......

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