Van James Rathbun, Sr.

Van James Rathbun, Sr., 75, gained his wings October 16, 2022 in Levelland, Texas.  Van was born in Omaha, Nebraska on November 2, 1946.  He was put up for adoption and found his perfect parents in Ione Jean (Brown) Rathbun and Raymond C. Rathbun.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1965.  He also wanted to serve and protect so he joined the Army National Guard right before his graduation.  After basic training, Van attended Mesa College to get his associates degree in Liberal Arts in 1967.  While in college he met Carolyn (Carol) S. Ray.  He fell madly in love and married her June 30, 1968.  He then had 3 beautiful children: Van James Rathbun, Jr. (51), Andrea Jean Lucille (Rathbun) Sehestedt (47) and Celeste Reve Rathbun (46).

Van worked several jobs, but he loved working with people.  He began working for Schwan’s Gourmet Foods in 1981 and retired in 1993 when he decided to go back to school to get his bachelors degree.  In 1995, Van graduated with his Bachelor’s in Business Management from Eastern New Mexico University.  He had a short stint working for Wal-Mart as a manager, but was not a fan.  He moved briefly to Lubbock in 2003 and was then dispatched to Cuba to aid in guarding prisoners of war at Guantanamo Bay.  He came home after being gone for a year to move to Levelland.  He went back to work for Schwan’s for another 6 years and finally decided to retire.

He was a faithful member of First Assembly of God Church in Levelland and all of his free time was spent helping anyone who needed it.  There wasn’t a person that did not love Van because of his giving heart.  Van loved and adored his family and always put them first.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Rathbun; son, Van Rathbun, Jr.; daughters, Andrea (Mark) Sehestedt and Celeste Rathbun; grandchildren, Maegwyn Sehestedt, Sean Sehestedt, Brian Sehestedt, Shannon Sehestedt, Alanna Sehestedt, Nora Sehestedt, Cierra (Justin) Kulka and Camron Pettit; and great granddaughters, Riley Kulka and Amelia Kulka.

A celebration of life service will be held at First Assembly of God Church in Levelland at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

Charitable donations will be accepted through First Assembly of God Church.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home.  (806) 897-1111