Louis Dale Raburn

June 25, 1968 - December 14, 2023

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Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers

6025 82nd Street

Lubbock, TX 79424

Sunday 12/17, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Monterey Church of Christ

6111 82nd St

Lubbock, TX 79424

(806) 795-5201 |

Monday 12/18, 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Flomot Memorial Park Cemetery

Co Rd. 142

Flomot, TX 79234

8066988085 |

Monday 12/18, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Louis Dale Raburn, beloved husband of Emily Woods Raburn, and loving father and son, passed away peacefully with his mother by his side on Thursday evening, December 14, 2023, at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, Texas after a battle with melanoma.

Dale was born on June 25, 1968, to Louis L. Raburn, Jr. and Nancy Anderson Raburn Smith in Garland, Texas.

Dale is survived by his loving devoted wife, partner and best friend, Emily Woods Raburn; his mother, Nancy Smith of Hubbard, TX and his father Louis Raburn and wife, Janet Raburn of Purdon, TX; his sons, Garrett Michael Raburn and wife, Gabrielle Raburn of Hoboken, NJ; Wade Bradley Raburn and fianceé Mackenzie Peterson of Granbury, TX; and daughter, Addison Emberly Raburn of Lubbock, TX; granddaughter, Sophia Marie Raburn of Hoboken, NJ; aunts, Donna Monroe Anderson of Hubbard, TX; Sharon Anderson McCann and husband, Doug McCann of Baytown, TX; uncles Jim C. Anderson and wife, Kathy Anderson of Waco, TX; Odis Dean Anderson and wife, Carolyn Anderson of Rock Springs, TX; uncle Donnie Raburn and wife, Tricia Raburn of Mabank, TX; aunt, Mary Raburn Dreger; mother-in-law Peggy Price and husband, Stan Price of Quitaque, TX; sisters-in-law Tiffany Woods and Kimberly Woods Jolly and husband, Allen of Turkey, TX; nieces, Caitlyn Lamb, and Abby and Ally Jolly of Turkey, TX; nephews Cooper and Cade Lamb of Turkey, TX; grandmother, Suzie Shannon of Turkey, TX; and numerous other cousins and relatives.

Dale was preceded in death by his beloved step-dad, friend, and mentor, Bobby Glenn (Bob) Smith; paternal grandparents, Louis L. Raburn, Sr. and Hazel Raburn of Mt. Calm, TX and maternal grandparents Odis W. Anderson and Dorothy Garrett Anderson of Hubbard, TX; devoted, loving uncle and mentor, Robert Scott (Scotty) Anderson of Hubbard, TX; aunts Patsy Raburn Scott and Jackie Raburn Hyder, and cousins Cason Anderson and Dusty Raburn.

Dale attended school in the Hubbard ISD school system kindergarten through fifth grade. After his family moved to East Texas, he attended sixth grade at Tatum Middle School in Tatum, TX. After his mother took a teaching position at Sabine High School the following year, Dale started and completed grades 7- 12 at Sabine ISD. At Sabine High School, he played football and baseball, receiving multiple honors in both sports.

Upon graduating from high school, Dale attended Panola Junior College in Carthage,

TX where he earned an Associates Degree while playing baseball for the Panola Ponies on a baseball scholarship. After completing his education at Panola Junior College, Dale went on to play baseball and attend college at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, where he received more honors for his play on the baseball field.

After becoming an insurance agent, Dale contracted with National Farm Life Insurance Company in 1997 and joined the home office’s marketing team in May 1999. In January 2009, Dale made his way to Lubbock to serve as the west Texas regional coordinator, a role he continued to be active in even as his health declined.

Dale’s kindness was evident to all who knew him, and he was a constant encourager to all those around him. He will be dearly missed.

Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers

6025 82nd Street

Lubbock, TX 79424

Map

Sunday 12/17, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Monterey Church of Christ

6111 82nd St

Lubbock, TX 79424

(806) 795-5201 | Map

Monday 12/18, 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Flomot Memorial Park Cemetery

Co Rd. 142

Flomot, TX 79234

8066988085 | Map

Monday 12/18, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Service Tribute

See Condolences

I knew him from a child to a teenager. He was a very special person to me.

You were truly loved and will be missed beyond measure.

Love you Emily and Addison!

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Nancy, So sorry for the loss of your loved son. I havent seen him in years but remember what a great person he was. Love and prayers for you and all the family.

My prayers are with Emily, the Raburn family, and all who love Dale. Shortly after I began working at NFL, Dale pulled me aside at a kickoff meeting to give me props for my attitude and work ethic, which has stuck with me after all this time. But that special moment for me said more about Dale's character than it ever did about mine. Dale has always been so well respected and held in high regard here at NFL, yet he never hesitated to go out of his way to uplift and encourage us "little people." I never saw him without a smile on his face and a helping hand reached out. He will be truly missed beyond measure.

You are in our thoughts and prayers....

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Louis Raburn . Plant a Tree

Emily, I am heart sick over Dale's passing. I considered him a really good friend and confidant. I have called him on many occasions to discuss matters of life and family and faith. He is one of the most important professional trainers I ever had, but over our 17 year friendship, we became very close. Carrie and I have a ton of cherished memories with him (and y'all - some of the trips especially). I will truly miss him and will remember you, little Addison and the boys in our prayers. If I can do anything at all to help you please let me know. It's only about 3 hours from here, I will gladly come help if there are residual matters on the insurance side that you need help with. Again, we will pray that God will comfort you all and that the church family there will throw their arms around your family and support you as best they can. Love Michael and Carrie Light

My deepest condolence to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

I have many fond memories of Dale from all of the National Farm trips. He was always so fun to be around. Prayers for all of the family during this difficult time.

Nancy, So so sorry for your loss. We pray that God gives you the strength to get through these very difficult times. Hoping that remembering all the wonderful memories you shared together will help ease a little of the pain. Our condolences to the entire family.

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with your family in the loss of Dale Rayburn. I remember Dale as a loyal, fun loving man who could tell a story as good as anyone I know. Please know that we are praying for your family during this time. May God bless your family, Coach Barry and Mary Morgan

Great teammate! Great person! Rest in peace cuz. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

My friend and my brother. Too many memories to recount. I will share some during the eulogy. I cannot imagine this world without my friend. He would have walked through hell for me and I him. We had a bond that is hard to explain. From the moments we met we became friends. Over the years we became best friends and finally brothers. In this world we get to have a connection with others only a few times in life. I was blessed to have Dale consider me a friend. While he and are somewhat opinionated and would disagree sometimes (I was always right) our friendship and trust in each other never wavered. We agreed many years ago, we would trust our wives and family with each other should the need arise. He was not supposed to go first. I am the older wiser one of the two of us. Most would say the better looking one as well (he would not). That means I should have shown him the way. Instead, he taught me another lesson in dignity and faith. His never lessoned. He was a man of God. A follower of Christ. He set the example for me. I just hope I can live up to the trust he placed in me. I will miss him until my return to Heaven above. A great man, a devoted friend and an example to us all. God speed my brother. See you on the other side.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”DEUTERONOMY 31:6 Emily and Addison, we are a so sorry about your loss of Dale! We too will miss him and will always treasure the NFL trips with you both. He was always so kind, caring and giving! He will be greatly missed. We love you and you are in our prayers. 🙏

So sorry for your loss! We know Luis & Janet and we will be praying for all the family!

Condolences to the Raburn family. Dale will be missed. He was such a nice person and treated everyone with respect. He was a mentor to me and always encouraged me as an agent.

Condolences to the Raburn family. Dale will be missed. He was such a nice person and treated everyone with respect. He has been a mentor to me and always happy.

Garrett, Gabi, Sophia & family - We are holding you and your family close in our thoughts and prayers during this time. We are so sorry for your loss.

Florist's Choice Bouquet was purchased for the family of Louis Raburn by your Mission City family. Send Flowers

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Nancy, sending our love at the loss of Dale. We are so very sorry that Dale had to struggle and that you had to witness his suffering. As a mother I can appreciate the void you are feeling. God bless you❤️

Where do I begin. Dale was a friend first, a mentor and he had the ability to make everyone feel like he was their best friend above all else . One of my favorite Dale stories ( and there are a few) is , we were on a cruise to Alaska. Having dinner , I was sitting with my daughter and two other ladies . Dale walked up to me and leaned down and said... "come go to the bathroom with me ". I looked up at him and then at my daughter , she ask what he said . I looked back up at Dale and said "what?" He said it again " Come go to the bathroom with me ," and he turned and walked off. My daughter ask if I was going? I said if your boss says come go to the bathroom with him. You go. I walked out in the hall, Dale looked at me and said, "what did I ask you to do?" I told him and he said well... then he told me about a friend of ours passing away and he knew I was going to be upset so he didn't want to tell me in front of everyone. Dale was always thinking about other people. I will definitely miss my friend and mentor beyond words. RIP my dear friend you will never be forgotten.

With love and hugs, and many prayers, please know that you are in our thoughts.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Louis Raburn . Plant a Tree

With deepest sympathy,

Yellow Florist's Choice was purchased for the family of Louis Raburn by Anonymous. Send Flowers

My deepest condolences to the family.

Sending lots of love and tight hugs. .Roger & Candy

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Louis Raburn . Plant a Tree

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is so difficult to bury our child, husband, dad, brother, or sister. I pray Gods blessing on each of you. I pray God will keep His arms around each of you, to help you get thru this, you don't ever get over a loss like this, you just get thought it, one day at a time. Love and prayers. Mary Wade

Emily, I’m sending prayers for you and the family, so deeply sorry to hear about this. If I can help in anyway please let me know. Thinking of you..

Sending all of you my love and prayers during this difficult time. I have so many special memories with Dale and Bart and many hours at the ballparks and the lake. He was one of the most caring, loving, kindest and gentle souls you would ever meet. He touched many people in a encouraging and positive way and will be greatly missed. Nancy I am so very sorry and send you all my love! Knowing that he is no longer in pain and hurting I pray will give you some comfort and peace and that we will see him again one day. Love, Mandy

Our deepest sympathies, Lance & Connie, Kyle & Melanie

Florist's Choice Bouquet was purchased for the family of Louis Raburn by Anonymous. Send Flowers

I met Dale when he was 12 years old; in 1983 I married his Dad, Louis. We spent many a day watching Dale play baseball and football. Traveled all over the state. He became all East Texas in football, he was a TOUGH linebacker. In baseball , as the catcher, he totally led his teams. It was so fun watching him play. He could slam those baseballs, as someone mentioned, he had to hit it hard, to get on base, speed was not his gift. Later we were blessed with Dale’s 3 children, our grandchildren (Garrett, Wade & Addison) whom we love and enjoy so much. I’ve never had kids myself , but from day 1 Dale accepted me as his step mom and called me every Mother’s Day. We’ll miss him so much and treasure our large number of memories and fun tales.

I am so sorry for your loss. Dale was one of a kind. We have great memories with Dale. We stay hours on the baseball field trying to get his throw to 2nd base just a little quicker. He wanted to be the best he could be We both were just a little competitive. Jennifer and I would go bowling, putt putt, horse in back yard, throwing washers, playing card games. Jennifer would have to break up the fight after the game was finished because the looser was not happy. 1987 Dale flew to Lubbock for my birthday and Thanksgiving . You were a great friend brother. Thanks for all the great memories. Jennifer, Dale and I attended Monterrey Church of Christ 36 years ago. Our prayers are with you all

Emily, Beth and I are so saddened for your loss. Dale was always an encourager, mentor and friend. He always had a smile that you could hear in his voice when we talked. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Emily and Addison, Words can’t express how very sorry we are for your loss of Dale! He was such a good person and an awesome manager to both of us. He was one of the sweetest men we’ve known and we will truly miss him! God bless you as you mourn his passing - and look forward to the day when you will all be together again! Love you, Deb Hoffman and LaShara Cook

Heart broken because he was a true friend, I remember when we went to Puerto Rico, we were a little tight with money and he bough pizza for the kiddos, few years ago, I got hit with 4 huge charge backs and he called me just to asked me if I needed money, he was willing to give me money, I didn't need the money but that's what touched my heart and for that I will be for ever thankful, I will miss him, and I am sure I will see him again, until then. Rest in Peace my friend,

My deepest condolences to Dales, family. I am truly sorry for your loss. Prayers for his family. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

My deepest condolences. I would always going to remember him for his work and patience with me. Thank you Dale for everything you did to me and always count with you!!🙏🙏🙏

Always in our heart.

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I remember playing golf with Dale. We were friends but we tried hard to beat each other. When I needed help, he was there. Hard to put into words but he was a man’s man. He will be missed

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Louis Raburn . Plant a Tree

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Our most sincere thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May God bless you.

I first met Dale in 1984 when we made the Longview American Legion baseball team and we played ball together one summer. When I ran into him a couple of years later and we both found out that we were going to Panola JC in Carthage, he said “Let’s room together, Cuz”…so we did for our 2 years at school, top floor, last room at the end of the hall. Dale was a stocky, strong catcher with a big arm and a high baseball IQ. Foot speed eluded him from birth (except for the time I put a rubber snake in his bed and he created a sonic boom heard throughout Carthage as he sped out of our room). Dale took over day-to-day catching duties after Mark Helms, who Dale loved and idolized, went down with a rotator cuff injury. Coach Davis put a lot of faith in Dale, even letting him drive the team bus on road trips. Dale made the TJC All Star Team his freshman year and it was an honor he deserved. You could always count on Dale coming through in the clutch and he helped our team set the school record for 52 wins in a season in 1988 which still stands today. He and I played golf together regularly after college until he moved away 20 years ago and we lost touch. He was a great friend and teammate and I will always have fun memories of Cuz! RIP Panola Pony #17

I havent seen Dale in years, but I sure enjoyed playing baseball with him growing up. My deepest sympathies.

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Florist's Choice Bouquet was purchased for the family of Louis Raburn by Anonymous. Send Flowers

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.