Jack Raney

BOISE, Idaho -- Jack D. Raney, 84, was unexpectedly called home to his Heavenly Father Friday, June 11, 2021.

Jack was born in November 1936 to John and Oma Raney in Southall, Arkansas. He grew up in Fordyce, Arkansas, and Missouri and graduated from Illmo High School in Scott City.

He worked during his early years as a draftsman. Jack worked with Yale Hoists and then more than 35 years as product engineer with Sanyo Corp. in Forrest City, Arkansas.

He served with the Arkansas National Guard during the early 1950s.

He met and married his wife, Valerie, in 1999. She worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and they moved and lived in several locations around the country until her retirement and their eventual move to Idaho. Jack was involved with the Jaycees in Forrest City and was pleasantly known as Ja Ra the clown during events and parades.

Jack is survived by his wife, Valerie Burks Raney, Ph.D., of Meridian, Idaho; brother, Kenneth Raney of Cape Girardeau; father-in-law, Jerry Burks of Meridian; daughter-in-law, Lisa Raney of Hot Springs, Arkansas; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Victoria (Burks) and Richard Alden of Meridian; aunt, Katie Hardman of Fordyce, Arkansas; nieces and nephews of Cape Girardeau; and many cousins, relatives and friends in Arkansas. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Oma Raney, and son, Bret Raney, from a prior marriage.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Mountain time Thursday at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise.

Funeral arrangements are with Alden Waggoner Funeral Home of Boise.