John Howard Racey

John Howard Racey, 85, of Orange, Virginia, died on June 21, 2026, at Dogwood Village of Orange County.

Born March 9, 1941, in Woodstock, Virginia, he was the son of Elbert Washington Racey and Ruth Bemis Racey. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Barbara Etta Racey, and granddaughter Brittany Renee Racey.

John worked most of his life for Northern Virginia Vending (later Canteen) and was a great husband, father, grandfather, stepfather, brother and friend. He grew up on a farm in the community of St. Luke west of Woodstock and in the St. Luke Brethren Church. His love of the outdoors was evident when hunting or fishing with his sons, brother, or other friends and family. He was well known in the 70’s on Route 42 west of Woodstock for his home-based Racey’s Two-Way Radio business. John will always be remembered for his easy smile, good nature, sense of humor, and need to show his love by relentless teasing and wasn’t above pulling a good practical joke, after all, he was part Bemis.

John is survived by his spouse Judy May Racey, sons Jeffrey Howard Racey (Denise) and Jonathan Howard Racey, daughters Kim Oliver (Andrew) and Amy Newman (Hunter), grandchildren Meagan Elizabeth Racey (David), Joseph Tyler Racey, Caleb Racey, Hannah Racey, Emily Pruitt (Trevor), Courtney Hale (Ben), and Adam Lutz (Samantha), great grandchildren Addalyn, Amaya and Ethan Hale and beloved brother Paul Bemis Racey (Dorothy).

The family would like to give a special thank you to the caregivers at Dogwood Village.

A celebration of John’s life will be held Rochelle Christian Church on October 24, 2026 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to:

Rochelle Christian Church

3980 Jack’s Shop Road

Rochelle, VA 22738

Or Dogwood Village Foundation 120 Dogwood Lane Orange, VA 22960. More information can be found at https://www.dogwoodvillageocva.org/