James D. "Darwin" Racey

October 30, 1926 - December 13, 2021

James D. “Darwin” Racey, age 95 years, a resident of rural Vienna, passed away Monday morning, December 13, 2021, at 6:55 AM at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna, Illinois. Darwin was born October 30, 1926 in Cypress, Illinois. He was the second of three children born to Thomas Melvin Racey and Edith (Johnson) Racey. On May 8, 1943, Darwin was united in marriage to Wilma E. Brown at Charleston, Missouri. She preceded him in death on December 31, 2011. Darwin is survived by: his children – Linda (Fred) Moore of Vienna; Bob (Alice) Racey of Belknap, Alan (Carol) Racey, Mark (Tracy) Racey, and Chuck (Becky) Racey all of Vienna; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 2 great-great granddaughters; a sister-in-law – Jackie Racey of Austin, Texas; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Darwin was preceded in death by: a great granddaughter – Taylor Simmons; a sister & brother-in-law – Louetta (Harvey) Klauka; and a brother – Kenneth Racey. Darwin attended the Cypress Public Schools and was a graduate of Cypress High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945 and served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater of operation. During his military service, Darwin was recognized with a merit badge as a sharp shooter with an M-1 Rifle. He was honorably discharged on October 19, 1946. Darwin was a lifelong grain and cattle farmer. He loved the land, farming, and raising and tending his livestock herds. He was a 50+ year member of the Johnson County Farm Bureau. Darwin was also an iron worker. He was a member of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local # 782, located in St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, Darwin had been employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Darwin was a 30+ year member of the Cypress School Board of Education. Additionally, he had served as a member of the Vienna High School Board of Education. Darwin was an avid outdoorsman. He had enjoyed a number of sporting activities throughout his lifetime, including quail hunting, squirrel hunting, and fishing. Darwin also enjoyed raising a large vegetable garden and sharing the bounty of produce with family, neighbors and friends. During his retirement and until his health prevented him from doing so, Darwin enjoyed visiting with his morning “coffee buddies.” Darwin was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Vienna. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 86 years. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, December 15, 2021, at 1 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Burial will be in the Cypress Cemetery. Military flag presentation will be accorded by the Illinois National Guard Burial Honors Detail. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 15, 2021, from 11 AM – 1 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63110 or to the Illinois Veterans Home (resident activities fund), 792 North Main Street, Anna, IL 62906. To share a memory of Darwin or to leave an online message of condolence for his family, please visit www.baileyfh.com Honored to serve as pallbearers are Darwin’s grandsons – Shane Racey, Jim Moore, Tyler Racey, Justin Racey, Jason Racey and Ryan Racey.