On November 27, 2017, our loving father, grandfather, son, brother, other half and friend, Irvin Chet Rackley, 48, of Moab, gained his wings.
Chet was born on June 13, 1969, in Salt Lake City to Irvin Rackley, Sr. and Jeri Lynn (Oviatt) Rackley. He spent his youth traveling around Utah following his mother’s job opportunities and chasing motocross races, ultimately graduating from Murray High School in June 1987.
After graduation, Chet began work in the coal mines surrounding Price, Utah, until he chose to change his career path in 1988 and went to work for Swire Coca-Cola. Exemplifying his well-known work ethic, determination and innate natural abilities, he continued on with Coca-Cola, fulfilling a long and distinguished management career for 22 years. Swire provided numerous opportunities and moves for his entire family and helped to create lifelong friends in many different places, such as Washington State, Idaho, Oregon, Colorado and Utah. Thanks to these opportunities and Swire’s annually earned trips to Mexico, Coca-Cola helped Chet discover his love for travel, Coronas, Kenny Chesney and warm sand beneath his bare feet.
While his time with Coca-Cola came to an end in 2011, his second home of Mexico and his career in management did not. Following his leave from Swire, Chet went on to work with The Kroger Company/City Market in Durango, Colorado, then shortly after, he was transferred to their store in Moab, where he lived out the rest of his life with Susan Storey.
Chet’s childhood passion for motocross never dwindled throughout his life; even weeks before he passed, he was out on the track forgetting that he was 30 years older than his son, Nathan, riding next to him. This passion is what introduced him to his love, Susan Storey, and her son, Shaun, who also races motocross. Chet also loved fishing, camping and golf but above all, Chet loved his family deeply. He was a devoted father and grandfather who would drop everything to help his children when they were in need.
Chet was preceded in death by his sister, Dawna (Fasselin) Nielsen; father, Irvin Rackley Sr.; grandmother, Donna (Thayne) Oviatt and grandfather, Clint Oviatt. He is survived by his children, Morgan (Ross) Rhoades of Murray, Utah; Maegan (Matt) Starks of West Jordan, Utah; and Nathan Rackley of Manheim, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Connor, Ryland and Asher Rhoades; Bentley Starks, and his newest grandchild, baby Rhoades, due next summer; his longtime partner, Susan Storey of Moab; his beloved mother, Jeri Lynn Oviatt of Price, Utah; and his brother, Bill (Jenni Fasselin) of Elmo, Utah. In recent years, Chet had gained contact with his dad’s side of the family and is also survived by his brother, Irvin Todd Rackley of South Jordan, Utah; and sisters, Kathy Rackley (Mark) Butterfield of Preston, Idaho; Terri Rackley of South Jordan, Utah; Tammy Rackley of Delta, Utah; and Tonya (Rackley) Rigby of Tooele, Utah.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017, at 1 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home in Price, Utah. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made c/o Chet Rackley directly to Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 E. Main St., Price, Utah 84501. Chet’s children have also created a GoFundMe to help with burial costs and end of life obligations at http://www.gofundme.com/ChetRackley.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price, where friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Chet online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
