Gregory Allen Rapstine

Gregory Allen Rapstine, 84, of White Deer, died on Friday, December 20, 2024 in Pampa.

Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer, a visitation will follow in the Parish Activity Center.

Mass of the Resurrection will be 10:00 AM Friday, December 27, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Hrudaya Raju Kondamudi officiating. The viewing will be available at 9:00 AM Friday prior to Mass. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Gregory Allen Rapstine was born January 23, 1940, in Pampa to Benard (Ben) and Mabel Mackey Rapstine of White Deer, TX. His grandparents, Jerome and Mary Kowalik Rapstine, were pioneers who helped build the Polish community in White Deer. Gregory was baptized and confirmed in the original Sacred Heart Catholic Church, was an altar server for Father Hancox, and a member of the Catholic Youth Organization. He attended White Deer schools, graduated in 1958, and studied agronomy for three years at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. 

Gregory married Carolyn Anderwald January 30, 1960, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer. They lived on the Rapstine family farm after his parents moved to White Deer where their first son, Gregory Michael was born in 1962. The family moved to Washburn, TX where Gregory rented a nearby farm. Christopher Allen was born in 1963, Theresa Antoinette in 1964 and James Andrew in 1967. They attended church at St. Francis where he was a reader and the children were baptized, confirmed and attended CCD classes. 

In 1969, Gregory leased an irrigated farm 17 miles NW of Panhandle, the family moved, and the children attended Panhandle schools. Angela Eleanora was born in 1975. In the 1970's Gregory and Carolyn became involved in the American Agriculture Movement. They traveled to Washington, D.C. several times to lobby Congress for a new farm bill and helped set up an American Ag office in Panhandle. Gregory moved his family to the east of White Deer in 1979 where he took over the Rapstine and Anderwald family farms, adding sprinklers to irrigate. The family attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer where he was a member of the finance committee for 20 years and served as a Eucharistic Minister during Mass and to parishioners in their home.

Gregory loved to build and weld new inventions for his plows, tractors and equipment. He built cabs, diesel tanks and hydraulic tanks for Scarab Manufacturing in White Deer for 10 years. He also built cabs, which harvested jalapeno peppers, for McClendon's Peter Piper Pepper Harvesters of Tulia, TX. 

In 1991, Gregory joined the White Deer Lions Club and welded the Lions Club sign placed on Highway 60, coming into White Deer. He was known for his barbecue, fish frys and catered many banquets and family celebrations. Gregory was quite a fisherman and spent many years traveling and fishing with his sons and close friends. He fished in South Fork, CO, Lake Texoma, Amistad Reservoir and Lake Falcon on the Rio Grande in TX, and Conchas Lake in NM. His big catch was a 29 lb. striped bass.

In 1986, Gregory's son, Andrew, was diagnosed with Leukemia. For 5 years there were many trips to MD Anderson in Houston for treatments. Andrew died in 1992. Farming was Gregory’s life - his reason for being, for providing for his family and his hobby. He grew wheat, milo, soy beans, and corn. His son, Chris, moved to White Deer and helped with the farm. He brought new ideas, new technology and new crops. In the mid-2000's, cotton was added to the crops. 

In 2009, Gregory was injured from a fall from the cotton stripper and farming became more difficult. He retired in 2012. He continued to live on the farm, but he turned the farm over to sons, Mike and Chris. 

Gregory will be remembered for his love of God and family, his humor and smile, and the many nicknames he gave to his family and friends. 

Preceding his death were his pioneer grandparents, Jerome and Mary Kowalik Rapstine of White Deer; parents, Benard (Ben) and Mabel Mackey Rapstine of White Deer, TX; brother Philip Rapstine of Lubbock, TX and son, James Andrew Rapstine of White Deer, TX.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Anderwald Rapstine of White Deer; sons, Michael Rapstine and wife Jennifer of Abilene and Christopher Rapstine and wife Linda Kay of White Deer; daughters, Theresa Rapstine and husband Richard Schafer of Denver, CO and Angela Rapstine Lindgren of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Emily Rapstine of Knoxville, TN; Elizabeth Rapstine Carey (Kegan) of Abilene, Rebecca Rapstine Caffey (Tyler) of Lubbock, TX, Thomas Rapstine (Natalya) of Spring, Jacob Rapstine of White Deer, and David Lindgren of Denver, CO; greatgrandchildren, Scarlett and Avery Carey of Abilene, Apollo and Vonn Caffey of Lubbock, and Leo Rapstine of Spring; sibling,: Douglas Rapstine (Jennifer) of White Deer, Kathleen (Dan) Rose of Palestine, many beloved nieces and nephews who called him “Unc”, and treasured friends. 

The family would like to thank Interim Hospice and Pampa Nursing Center for their patience and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, PO Box 427 White Deer, TX 79097.