Robert Earl Rainey Sr.

Robert Earl “Rawhide” Rainey was born on October 29th, 1925 to Harry Franklin Rainey and Cordie Madeline Bledsoe Rainey. He was a big brother to his three younger sisters during the Great Depression.

At sixteen, in order to enlist in the Navy, he lied to his naval recruiter as the minimum age to serve was seventeen. The weight requirement was 120 pounds. At the time he weighed 119. To make weight, he consumed a bushel of bananas and drank a gallon of water. After stepping off the scale, he vomited and went into Navy Basic Training. After training, he secured a position as a machine gunner on the deck of a battleship fighting the Japanese in the south pacific theatre. After WWII, he returned home to go to work. But like many veterans of this era he was disillusioned and shortly thereafter re-enlisted into the Navy and became a submariner During his long military career, He moved up in rank and attained honorary degrees in Electronics and Computer Science.

In 1954, while on liberty in Portsmouth, NH.,he went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) Ann Fessenden; to whom he would be married to for the next 58 years. Robert is survived by his wife and three children; Donna Marie Rainey Herron of Lusby, MD, Robert Valentine Rainey of Cincinnati, OH, and Paul Boone Rainey of San Angelo Tx, who he sired later in life at the age of 45. In addition to his children, Robert leaves 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his only living sister, Gloria Rainey Church Wood of San Angelo.

After retiring from the Navy, Robert worked several years in Civil Service, contracted for The Naval Surface Warfare Center as well NASA and The Department of Defense. After “retiring” officially, he returned to sea to work on A Military Sea-Lift ship at The age of 70. Robert loved to help and teach others, and was instrumental in starting The City of San Angelo Senior Recreation Center Computer Program for Santa Fe Crossing and Station 618. Robert died at peace in his bed at home. The Rainey family would like to express gratitude to the overwhelming love and support from his friends and members of the community.

A funeral Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday September 7, 2012 at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Fairmount Cemetery. A small gathering of family and friends will be held at 3933 Inglewood Dr. Arrangements are being handled by Johnson’s Funeral Home.

Charitable Donations may be given to Disabled American Veterans.