Thomas "Tom" Rachal Jr.

Oct 29, 1941 -

Feb 9, 2026

Anchorage, Alaska, resident Thomas "Tom" Urbain Rachal Jr., 84, died on Feb. 9, 2026, at his residence in Anchorage.

At his request, no services are planned. His ashes will be taken to Natchitoches, La., for burial in Fern Park Cemetery.

Tom was born on Oct. 29, 1941, in Shreveport, La., one of three children born to Thomas Urbain Rachal and Amelie (Allbritton) Rachal.

Tom graduated from Vidalia High School in 1959. He received a B.S. degree in business education from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 1963, and M.S. degree in the same subject from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1965. He taught in public schools in Haynesville, La., and Fort Myers, Fla.

Tom moved to Anchorage in 1970, where he switched careers to accounting and worked for several companies, including Chugach Electric Association, Cook Inlet Region Inc. and Alaska Native Foundation. In 1984, he began his career with the Merrill Field Airport Manager's Office as Senior Accountant, from which he retired on Jan. 1, 1998.

Tom's retirement years were spent volunteering his services for many organizations, including Identity Inc., various local, state and national organizations to reduce tobacco use among the LGBTQ+ population, Parents Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and Alaska Workers Association. He traveled extensively as he had many friends around the country with whom he enjoyed spending his leisure time.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Urbain Rachal and Amelie (Allbritton) Rachal; brother, David Randolph Rachal; significant partner, Al (Elmer) Kaneta; and husband, Andre "Andy" Robichaud.

He is survived by his sister, Jenny Sybil (Rachal) Criner of Renton, Wash.; nieces, Cynthia (Knight) Craft of Belfair, Wash., Molly (Knight) Brannon of Renton, Susan (Rachal) Atkinson and Dee (Rachal) Clune of Baton Rouge, La.; several grandnieces and grandnephews; and his many longtime Alaska friends.

Donations in Tom's memory may be made to PFLAG Anchorage, P.O. Box 210874, Anchorage, AK 99521-0874; or Alaska Workers Association, 3243 Commercial Drive, Anchorage, AK 99501-3020.