John Rabe

Donna- John "Jack" Walter Rabe, 84, lost his battle with cancer and entered into eternal rest on Monday, October 14, 2024. 

Born in Edinburg, TX in 1940, Jack was the 5th of 5 children born to Walter and Effie Rabe. He grew up in La Blanca, TX and finally settled in Donna, TX. He has lived in Rio Grande Valley his entire life. 

Jack graduated from Edinburg High School where he was active in FFA.

Jack had a great love for farming. He and his family farmed cotton, corn, and grew many citrus orchards. He was also big in real estate; he got his start working for Cobatell Realty then later went out on his own and developed many subdivisions in the Donna area. Jack was active in Farm Bureau, where he was once on the board and traveled advocating for Texas Farmers. He also worked for the Donna Irrigation District

Jack loved raising animals, and he had one of the first ostrich farms in the Rio Grande Valley. Jack also raised cattle, starting with registered Charolais, moving to commercial beef cattle, and eventually started a Miniature Herford farm with his son Clinton. He had a love for showing cattle at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. He passed down that same love and tradition on to his children, grandchildren, and now his great grandchildren. 

Jack enjoyed many pastimes, but some of his favorites were hunting at his ranch in Uvalde, floating the Frio River with family, riding around the ranch, filling feeders, fishing, spending the day on the beach, and enjoying the family atmosphere more than anything.  

Jack's greatest love of all were his children and grandchildren who he loved to joke and laugh with. Jack " Papoo" loved to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren laugh and smile. 

Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Bevie Ann Rabe; parents, Walter & Effie Rabe; and his siblings,  William Rabe, Ruth (Rabe) Johnson, and Betty (Rabe) Daniels.

He is survived by his sister, Helen (Rabe) Bryant; his children, Pamela Oehler (Tony) of Fredricksburg, TX, Clinton Rabe (Brenda) of Donna, TX; his grandchildren, Christian Oehler (Monica), Nicholas, Mackenzie, and Hanna Rabe; his great grandchildren, Carter, Barrett, Jacob, & Myles; and many nieces and nephews. 

Jack will be greatly missed by his family and friends.