Kevin Michael Rafferty

Graveside services with military honors will be held 3pm on Friday, November 13, 2020 at Sunset Memorial Park in Midland City, Alabama. The family will receive friends at Sunset Funeral Home one hour prior to the service. An Open House Celebration will be held 5-7 pm Wednesday November 11, 2020 at the Rafferty home in Orlando, Florida. The Family has asked that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to one of these Veteran’s organizations: www.shadowwarriorfoundation.org or www.k9sforwarriors.org

Kevin Michael Rafferty was born on February 28, 1962 to Edward Lee and Margaret Ann McCulloch Rafferty in Decatur, AL. He spent his early years in Decatur until his family moved to Cowarts, AL. Kevin attended school in Ashford, AL, where he was very active in Band and Key Club.

A lifelong patriot, Kevin joined the National Guard in 1981 and became Active Duty Army in 1983. He was passionate about tanks and always proclaimed “death before dismount!” He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, became a Master Gunner, and after twenty years of service, he retired in 2002. He continued to work as a Simulations Expert while maintaining the lifelong friendships he had developed across the world.

He met the love of his life, Sherrie Atterberry, in 1979. They were married in November of 1982. Together they raised three beautiful children with whom Kevin shared his love of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and the Alabama Crimson Tide Football Team. He also loved talking Alabama Softball with whoever would listen. Kevin and Sherrie always kept their home open to their children’s friends, who knew him as Big Guy. Big Guy made sure everyone knew they were part of the family.

A man of God, Kevin brought light and love to everyone in his life. He was a charismatic man who never met a stranger. Always wearing Alabama apparel, he made fast friends with anyone who threw a Roll Tide his way. Quite a storyteller, he held his audience captive and always entertained them as he spoke. He had a contagious laugh and never passed up the opportunity to crack a joke. Even in his last days, he was laughing with his family and friends as they reminisced on the amazing life he lived.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Lee Rafferty, and Margaret Ann McCulloch Raines, as well as his brothers Mark and Matthew Rafferty.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sherrie Atterberry Rafferty; daughter, Heather Rafferty (Martin) Khan; son, Matthew M. (Staci) Rafferty; son, Sean L. (Anayeli Melgar) Rafferty; brother, James Edward (Deborah) Brown; sister, Pamela Rafferty (Mike) Watford; brother, Timothy Scott (Sandra) Rafferty; sister, Melissa Rafferty (Terry) Strength; grandchildren, Jacob, Nathan, Aaron, Rayne, Luna and Jenara; step-mother Linda Cobine Rafferty; multiple nieces and nephews; and many bonus children.

Roll Tide Big Guy, We Love You Always.

Burial Date November 13, 2020 Graveside services with military honors will be held 3pm on Friday, November 13, 2020 at Sunset Memorial Park in Midland City, Alabama. The family will receive friends at Sunset Funeral Home one hour prior to the service. An Open House Celebration will be held 5-7 pm Wednesday November 11, 2020 at the Rafferty home in Orlando, Florida. The Family has asked that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to one of these Veteran’s organizations: www.shadowwarriorfoundation.org or www.k9sforwarriors.org