The family and friends of John Raukar will gather on Monday to celebrate the life of a man who gave so much to so many while never seeking the spotlight or asking anything in return.

Raukar, who was originally from Minnesota and played football for the Green Bay Packers, died on May 26 after being diagnosed with cancer just three weeks earlier.

He was a former adjunct professor at Idaho State University, a Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 administrator, a coach/teacher at Century High School and a tireless advocate for those battling drug addictions and alcoholism.

Raukar, who was once an addict himself, came to Pocatello to run the Dayspring Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center at Pocatello Medical Center. In 2015, he helped establish a treatment facility in Twin Falls that bears his name: The John T. Raukar Institute.

The facility specializes in treating youths with mental disorders and substance abuse issues. Raukar said it was always a passion of his to “give something back.”

Those who were close to Raukar were shaken by news of his sudden passing. His friend William L. Brydon wrote in recent letter to the Idaho State Journal: “John [Raukar] will be sorely missed by all those who knew him in all of his many capacities. From here in Pocatello to his origins in Minnesota, from the Green Bay Packers turf, to School District 25 administration, to Century High, to the Idaho governor’s office, to the juvenile court and juvenile detention center, to the drug and alcohol lecture circuit, to his friends and associates, and certainly his home and family.”

The letter also said of Raukar, “He was one of the most humane of men, never pretentious and always more than willing to go the ‘extra mile’ for youth and friends.”

Raukar’s friend, Helen Lusk, who is also an advocate for those with addiction issues, said, “He [Raukar] was an icon in the recovery world. He helped so many people but never wanted any recognition. He helped more people on accident than most of us ever do on purpose. He spent every waking minute helping those in pain and turmoil and giving a voice to those without one.”

Lusk also praised Raukar’s wife, Donna, for sacrificing her time and sharing in his desire to help those in addiction recovery.

A Catholic Memorial Mass for Raukar will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Community — St. Anthony’s Chapel, 507 N. 7th Ave. in Pocatello.

In lieu of flowers, a John Raukar Memorial Fund has been set up at Idaho Central Credit Union to help carry on his life’s work of helping others.