Dennis D. Rager

Dennis D. "Coach Red" Rager of Akron (Ellet), Ohio went home to be with his heavenly Father on April 15, 2022 at Summa surrounded by family and loved ones, at the age of 64. Dennis will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Joyce. Survived by his mother Janet Rager and 2 sisters Terri (Art) Campbell and Wendy (Roy) Brown, 2 step children, Ricci Grimes (Bo) and Michael Leonhard (Sarah). Beloved Pappy to 4 grand daughters, Mara, Quinn, Macy, and Micah, special uncle to Nathan (Ashley), Alexis, Ashley, Beau, Andrew & Christopher. Great uncle to Ava, Hallie, Jillian, Avery, Quinten & Allyson. Preceded in death by his father, Charles Rager and son, Nicholas Pettitt.

Dennis was born in Buffalo, NY and graduated from Ellet High School in 1976. He loved the West, especially Arizona, where he spent over 10 years after high school. He moved back to the Akron area in 1997 to be closer to his family where he reconnected and eventually married his first love, Joyce. He served the Ellet community for over 30 years, shaping the minds and hearts of so many children as a youth football coach for the Ellet Raiders. He also volunteered calling bingo for several years within the Ellet community. He loved football, sunrises and sunsets, route 66, Native American Indian history and keeping the Christmas magic alive for his grand daughters. He will be remembered for his love of the Lord, his family and being such an influential Coach "Red" and friend to so many in the community.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, April 22, 2022 from 4 to 7pm at Newcomer Funeral Home (131 N. Canton Rd, Akron) with services at 7pm, Pastor Mark O'Donnell, officiating.
Resting place will be Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family invites you to sign the online guest book and share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Rager Family.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made to Haven of Rest. (havenofrest.org)