Rev. Stephen Ray Rasco

Reverend Stephen Ray Rasco of Oberlin, Louisiana completed his journey in this life after a courageous battle with cancer with his wife and children by his side on January 21, 2012.

He was born in Brownwood, Texas on September 23, 1950 to JD and Violet Rasco. He married Gloria Ann Guillory from Westlake, Louisiana, Dec. 26, 1970.

Reverend Rasco was a patriot and a builder. He loved his country and his fellowman, and he led a life of service. As a young man he served as youth leader and assistant administrator of Kingston Christian Academy, Shreveport, Louisiana, then as Principal of Fountain of Life Academy, Natchitoches, Louisiana. Later, he served as Sunday School Superintendent for Apostolic Temple in Lake Charles. In 2000 he was elected pastor of the Oberlin Pentecostal Church. He also served as Historian for Louisiana District Museum and Archives for the United Pentecostal Church.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 41 years, Gloria Guillory Rasco; his son, Stephen York Rasco of Baton Rouge;daughter,Holly Rasco Pitts and her husband Reverend Carey Pitts of Greenville, Texas, and grandchildren; Kelton, Kedric, Kalyn, Greyson and Ethan; his mother, Violet Rasco Cathy of Brownwood, Texas; Mother-in-law, Rachel Louise Guillory of Westlake; brother, Lt. Col. James David Rasco, who is presently serving overseas, and his wife Shiloh and children of Alexandria, Louisiana; and many other family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, JD Rasco, Stepfather, George Myles Cathy and father-in-law, Reverend Daniel Guillory.

Funeral services will be held at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at the Apostolic Temple under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. The Rev. Ricky Treece will officiate. Visitation will begin on Monday in the funeral home from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and will continue on Tuesday at the church from 5:30 PM until the start of the service. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 PM at Gladewater Memorial Park Cemetery in Gladewater, TX.