Adolph John Raaf

Adolph J. Raaf Jr Adolph Raaf passed from this world and rejoined his loving wife Sue Ann Raaf on August 22nd, 2020. Adolph was a loving husband and father and is survived by his son Scott Raaf, daughter in-law Susan Raaf, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. Adolph was preceded in death by wife Sue, son Terry, daughter Vicky, father Adolph Raaf Sr., Mother Ellona Raaf (Kriete) and sisters Anna Marie Raaf, Dolores (Sissy) Schulte, Eleanor Schulte, Norma Jean Roethemeyer, June Licklider and Janet Mittler. Adolph was born in Gerald Mo and grew up on the family farm. He was known as Sonny to his parents and sisters, Adolph or AJ to his friends, and Dad to his sons. Adolph was a member of the Powell Presbyterian Church and a 3rd degree Mason of the Owensville MO Masonic Lodge #624. He enjoyed gardening (especially growing tomatoes), camping and fishing for catfish and crappie. He attended the University of Missouri majoring in agriculture and began working for the Rock Island Railroad as a time keeper during summer breaks from college and then joined the railroad as a track supervisor where he worked for 23 years and eventually attained the position of division engineer. Adolph and family moved to Powell Tennessee in 1979 when he began working for the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) as a track inspector until retirement after 19 years in 1998. Adolph had never been to Knoxville prior to his employment with the FRA but when presented with the options of Oklahoma City, Louisville, or Knoxville, he stated “I’ve been to OKC and Louisville – Knoxville has got to be better”. Upon arriving in Knoxville, he declared Knoxville home and vowed to never leave. Adolph often felt that the “squirrels were taunting him” as they ate from his backyard bird feeders but this changed when he found Millie. Millie was a young squirrel that fell from a tree while being chased by other squirrels and was injured. Adolph hand fed Millie and nursed her back to health and then served as her protector from the “squirrel bullies”. Adolph enjoyed watching all sports especially University of Tennessee Football and woman’s basketball. Sue Ann Raaf preceded Adolph in death on June 7th, 2019. Sue was a loving wife and mother and is survived by her husband Adolph, son Scott Raaf, daughter in-law Susan Raaf, sisters Judy Fann and Twyla Terwiliger, brothers Dan Smith and Steve Smith, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. Sue was preceded in death by son Terry, daughter Vicky, mother Grace Barlish, and sisters Sandra Smith and Gloria Mae Poynter. Sue was born in Saint Louis Mo and grew up in central Mo. Sue was a member of the Powell Presbyterian Church. Before marrying Adolph, Sue worked at the Diamonds restaurant on Route 66 in Villa Ridge MO and in a shoe factory. Sue was a reluctant gardener but truly enjoyed eating homegrown tomatoes and cooking / canning the fresh vegetables for her family. Sue also enjoyed camping, fishing and reading. She shared Adolph’s love of University of Tennessee Football and was a Dallas Cowboys football fan. As Adolph often worked long hours on the railroad, Sue was primarily responsible for raising their sons early in life and learned quickly not to open containers with holes in the top as they often contained whatever the boys found and decided to keep for a while. Sue would often take the boys fishing and swimming during the summer. Sue was an animal lover who made sure the neighborhood dogs and cats were always taken care of and was once charged with obstruction of justice by an animal control officer when she confronted him while chasing a neighbor’s dog through her yard. Contrary to her belief that she “wasn’t a cat person” Sue was adopted by Tiger who is living in retirement with Susan and Scott.