James
James Arthur \”Œjim\” Raines
James Arthur \"Jim\" Raines died on Friday, February 1, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his adoring wife, Shirlee; three children, Liz Woodring and her husband Bill of Alpharetta, GA; Lee Johnston and her husband Peter of Great Falls, VA; and Jim Raines and his wife Michelle, of Sacramento, CA; five grandchildren, Ryan Johnston, Maggie Wray and her husband Jason, Carlee Woodring, Zoe Raines, and Anna Raines, two half-brothers, Pat Raines and Mike Raines.
Jim was born on August 26, 1932, in Montgomery, Alabama, the son of James Pat Raines and Olene Wilson Raines. He served in the US Air Force as a medic during the Korean War. In the fall of 1954 he returned to Montgomery and met the love of his life, Shirlee Dover. They married on November 24, 1955. He graduated from Birmingham- Southern College in 1959 and began his illustrious career with the YMCA. The Y took him to Montgomery, AL, Albany, GA, San Francisco, CA, New York, New York, Birmingham, AL, but in his eyes, the best Y he ever served was here in Lynchburg, VA. He retired in 1996 but continued to consult at YMCAs throughout the country, offering his many talents for the task at hand.
Jim was a founding member of the Lynchburg Sports Club, past President of the Weatherford Chapter of Association of Y Retirees, a volunteer visitor for Mended Hearts, and most recently served as a leader for the Lynchburg Community Dialogue on Race and Racism. He was an active member of Peakland United Methodist Church and served in many capacities there and in all the Methodist churches where he was a member during his life. The endeavor of which he was most proud was being the promoter, chief roadie, and booking agent for his family singing group, The Rainedrops. He loved to talk about The Rainedrops and enjoyed all the places visited while performing.
A sometimes cantankerous member of a Tuesday morning breakfast club, he participated in many a spirited discussion with this great group of friends. He loved to play golf anywhere, any time, and with anybody. It was a particular joy for Jim to witness the adult lives of the youths who had been in his Y programs. He loved his porch and all his birds, especially the bluebirds, which took up residence in his back yard.
Jim was a loving husband, father, granddaddy, brother and friend. He never met a stranger and all who met him felt enveloped by his spirit, humanity, and courage. He touched us all, with a look, a smile, a kind word, and we will miss him dearly.
A Celebration of Jim\"™s Life will take place at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at Peakland United Methodist Church with the Reverends Edwin Clever, Jason Stanley, and Bishop Ray Chamberlain officiating. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held after the service at Boonsboro Country Club. The family will also receive friends at home from 4:00-6:00PM, Friday, February 8, 2013.
Memorial contributions in Jim\"™s memory may be made to the YMCA of Central Virginia, 1315 Church Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504, Peakland United Methodist Church, 4434 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503, or the charity of your choice.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434)237-9424.
He is survived by his adoring wife, Shirlee; three children, Liz Woodring and her husband Bill of Alpharetta, GA; Lee Johnston and her husband Peter of Great Falls, VA; and Jim Raines and his wife Michelle, of Sacramento, CA; five grandchildren, Ryan Johnston, Maggie Wray and her husband Jason, Carlee Woodring, Zoe Raines, and Anna Raines, two half-brothers, Pat Raines and Mike Raines.
Jim was born on August 26, 1932, in Montgomery, Alabama, the son of James Pat Raines and Olene Wilson Raines. He served in the US Air Force as a medic during the Korean War. In the fall of 1954 he returned to Montgomery and met the love of his life, Shirlee Dover. They married on November 24, 1955. He graduated from Birmingham- Southern College in 1959 and began his illustrious career with the YMCA. The Y took him to Montgomery, AL, Albany, GA, San Francisco, CA, New York, New York, Birmingham, AL, but in his eyes, the best Y he ever served was here in Lynchburg, VA. He retired in 1996 but continued to consult at YMCAs throughout the country, offering his many talents for the task at hand.
Jim was a founding member of the Lynchburg Sports Club, past President of the Weatherford Chapter of Association of Y Retirees, a volunteer visitor for Mended Hearts, and most recently served as a leader for the Lynchburg Community Dialogue on Race and Racism. He was an active member of Peakland United Methodist Church and served in many capacities there and in all the Methodist churches where he was a member during his life. The endeavor of which he was most proud was being the promoter, chief roadie, and booking agent for his family singing group, The Rainedrops. He loved to talk about The Rainedrops and enjoyed all the places visited while performing.
A sometimes cantankerous member of a Tuesday morning breakfast club, he participated in many a spirited discussion with this great group of friends. He loved to play golf anywhere, any time, and with anybody. It was a particular joy for Jim to witness the adult lives of the youths who had been in his Y programs. He loved his porch and all his birds, especially the bluebirds, which took up residence in his back yard.
Jim was a loving husband, father, granddaddy, brother and friend. He never met a stranger and all who met him felt enveloped by his spirit, humanity, and courage. He touched us all, with a look, a smile, a kind word, and we will miss him dearly.
A Celebration of Jim\"™s Life will take place at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at Peakland United Methodist Church with the Reverends Edwin Clever, Jason Stanley, and Bishop Ray Chamberlain officiating. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held after the service at Boonsboro Country Club. The family will also receive friends at home from 4:00-6:00PM, Friday, February 8, 2013.
Memorial contributions in Jim\"™s memory may be made to the YMCA of Central Virginia, 1315 Church Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504, Peakland United Methodist Church, 4434 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503, or the charity of your choice.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434)237-9424.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Arthur \”Œjim\” Raines, please visit our flower store.
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