Gerald Lee Rasco

Gerald Lee Rasco, 71, passed away on February 20, 2017 in Pampa. Memorial Service will be 2:00 PM Friday, February 24, 2017 at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Colonial Chapel, with Pastor Paul Nachitgall of Highland Baptist Church, and Rev. Rick Parnell, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors in Pampa. Gerald was born in Pampa, Texas on February 28, 1945 to Clifton (CT) Rasco and Dovie Lou (Easter) Rasco.  He attended Pampa High School, where he was an avid athlete. In his junior year he was mentioned in the local newspaper as “the burly Harvester weight man that has been in the shadow of the mighty Randy Matson,” as he competed in shot put.  After his high school years, he was a bronco bustin’ rodeo cowboy. On Good Friday, April 16, 1965 he married Joyce Owens Higgins and her two children, Gary and Diana Higgins.  Two years later Kristy completed their family. Gerald & Joyce recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Gerald enjoyed the great outdoors such as camping, 4-wheeling, dune buggies, dirt bikes, motorcycles, fishing and frog gigging, golfing with his buddies, including multiple couples golfing trips with friends. He organized the construction of a softball field at Cabot Corporation and they named it “Rasco Field”.  He also participated in the construction of the softball fields at Hobart Street Park in Pampa.  He was coach and a player in a local men’s softball team.  Gerald also coached Tiger League Football, refereed for junior high and high school football and basketball games in and around the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles.  He loved sports so much, that he insisted their family home be located very close to the local high school football field.  He also took a lot of pride in being selected to haul around the Harvester Victory Bell from town to town to attend games for many years.  His most recent sport was Old West Chuck Wagon Cooking Competitions. And just for fun he would saddle up and ride along on trail rides to cook for the working cowboys. He was a member of the SFOA (Southwest Football Officials Association) for 14 years, the Top O’ Texas Rodeo Association for 9 years, and the American Chuck Wagon Association for the past 9 years. Gerald worked at Cabot Corporation for 16 years, then became self-employed as owner of Rasco Oilfield Service and Top Of Texas Tubing Testers along with his wife Joyce Rasco for 20 years. They later sold Top Of Texas Tubing Testers and started Rasco Construction. Gerald and Joyce retired in 2009, bought a travel trailer and started enjoying the life they work so hard for. Gerald continued to work part time in a catering service, R&R Catering, which he co-owned with longtime friend Ed Robinson. They often would be found at various locations with the High Plains Auctioneers from Dalhart Texas. Gerald was preceded in death by both parents, Clifton (CT) Rasco & Dovie Lou (Easter) Rasco; sisters Gloria Beth Norris & Priscilla Rasco; brother-in-law Orlin Bowman; and a brother Carl J Rollins.   Gerald is survived by his beloved wife Joyce Rasco; son Gary Higgins and wife Vonda of Pampa; two daughters, Diana Sexton and husband Tim of Pampa, and Kristy Wheeler and husband James of Amarillo; two granddaughters, Sarah Smith and husband Bryan of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jill Underwood of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; a grandson, Jacob Sexton of Canyon; three great grandchildren, Deja’ Roe, Shelby Underwood and Tyner Underwood all of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; a sister, Travis Bowman of Harmon, Oklahoma; a brother, Tony Rasco of Harmon, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Bill Norris of Pampa; an aunt, Lilly Rasco of Enid, Oklahoma; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The Rasco family would like to acknowledge and thank the outstanding staff at BSA Hospice of the Southwest for all of their support, assistance and guidance in the care of our loved one. The family will be gathered at 1619 Christine Street in Pampa. They will receive friends from 5:30-7:00 PM on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Home. Gerald’s visitation room will be available for guests to come by and sign the memorial book from 9:00 AM Wednesday, February 22, 2017 until service time on Friday, February 24, 2017. Memorials may be made to the Relay for Life of Gray County c/o Gerri Caylor, 2130 Charles, Pampa Texas 79065