David Millar Rainey

David Millar Rainey, 79, passed away Wednesday morning, May 26, 2010, at his residence after a brief illness.  Dave was born on September 22, 1930 in Lynchburg, Va, to the late Cecil Dubois Rainey and Mariamna Rucker Rainey.

He was predeceased in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, the former Ann Shoaf Rainey, of Roanoke.  He is survived by his three sons, Robert Sutherland Rainey, Scott Shoaf Rainey, and Brad Rucker Rainey, all of Lynchburg, and by his daughter, Katherine (Kate) Rainey Collado, his beloved baby girl, of Chesapeake, and her husband Al.  He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Robert Adam Rainey (Nicki) of Charlotte, Linda Gail Rainey of Danville, David Campbell Collado and John Alexander Collado, both of Chesapeake.  Dave is also survived by a host of loving nieces and nephews on both sides, far too numerous to mention, but all well loved.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his beloved brother Samuel Charles Rainey of Bethesda MD, who was perhaps his role model, as he adored his older brother.  He is survived by his brother Robert Dubois Rainey of Arlington, VA, who he always said was the best athlete.

Dave was a very proud Graduate of V.P.I. (now known as Virginia Tech), where he graduated in 1952, with an Industrial Engineering degree, after switching over from Civil Engineering.  In his senior year at V.P.I., he was Regimental Commander of the Corps of Cadets, the highest honor given to a leader at a military school, he was the "Head Man", as cited in his Yearbook. He was graduated with numerous honors, including ODK (a leadership fraternity), and was on the staff of the campus Yearbook and Newspaper, among others.

After graduation, he briefly worked at Western Electric in Winston-Salem, but then the Army came calling, to fulfill his Military commitment, as a V.P.I. man.  He proudly served his country in the Post-Korean War Army for four years, his favorite post being Anchorage, Alaska, preparing for combat against the Russkies, it didn't happen, he was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant, despite two last minute pleas from Generals at the Pentagon, to serve in Peacetime.

Dave then accepted a position at the former Babcock & Wilcox as an Engineer in 1957, in Lynchburg, as part of the mass exodus of Engineers settling in Lynchburg, going to work for B &W and G.E.  In 1994, he retired as a longtime Project Manager for Framatome, which is now called Areva.  During his long tenure at the then B & W, he took a short diversion for a little over a year, serving on the President's staff of  B & W in New York City, in the Chrysler Building, in the mid 1960's. He was induced into moving back to Lynchburg in the summer of 1965, as his former boss and good friend, Larry Barrett, brought him back to Lynchburg, as the Vice-President of American Novawood, which later became Applied Radiant Energy. Dave resumed his career at B & W two years later, and never left.

Dave was a former President of the Lynchburg Sports Club, a longtime member of Oakwood Country Club, and a former President of the Lynchburg chapter of the Va. Tech Alumni Association, as well as a longtime season ticket holder and donor. Dave was very proud of his association with Va. Tech, he was a Tech man all the way, and passed along his love for Va. Tech to most of his family!

Lastly, a Memorial Service for Dave will be held at Peakland Baptist Church, on Thursday at 2:00 P.M. on June 3, 2010, with the Rev. Dr. B. Steven McNeeley officiating. Dave's remains will be placed into the Peakland Baptist Church Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made in the name of David M. Rainey to Peakland Baptist Church, 4018 Peakland Place, Lynchburg, VA 24503.  Dave loved this church, and was a former Deacon, Head of the Diaconate, and a former Sunday School Superintendent, a very active member for over 50 years.

The family would like to especially thank Leslie (Yvette) Farmer and her mother Nancy Cardwell, who were a Godsend to all of us during Dave's final weeks, they went the extra mile, and now will always be our friends, they were so special to all!

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.