John F. Raney

John graduated from Deering High School in Portland, ME in 1964. He earned a business degree at the University of Southern Maine in 1966 and began a rewarding accounting career with the Mercantile Exchange District in New York, NY.

John's life changed when he was drafted into the US Army in 1968. He became a tank supervisor and a respected platoon commander in Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry, Black Horse Regiment. John attained the rank of Sergeant E5 and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Honored Vietnam Brothers-in-Arms: Richard Cole was John's best friend who died heroically in action, saving many lives before he was killed by the enemy. Nick Soehnlen served with John during their tour and enjoyed a close relationship with John and his family. Mark Crist was a loyal friend and soldier in John's unit who also maintained contact with John and many other brothers-in-arms at annual reunions. Finally, we honor all other brothers-in-arms not listed.

John lived in California where he ran his own Maine-to-California seafood shipping business. He subsequently earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from National University and followed a career in tax preparation and auto finance.

He became known for hosting enthusiastic sporting events in his home, particularly, the weekly Patriot Football gatherings which furthered family comradery. It was after his father, Francis Raney, passed, that the title, " Old Man", a term formerly enjoyed by his father, was conferred to John. He embraced it, and thus, the torch was passed.

John is survived by his two sons, John Paul Raney and his wife, Carolyn, of Portland, ME and Christopher Robert Raney of Westbrook, ME; a sister, Carol L. Raney of Portland, ME; his two brothers, Richard A. Morton, Sr. and his wife Linda, of Rangeley, ME and Ralph K. Raney and his wife Angelina of Dover, NH; his four nephews, Brian Morton and his wife, Marcy, of New Boston, NH, Thomas Morton and his wife, Fran, of Bradenton, FL, Gerald L. Morton, Jr. and his wife, Gayle, of Bradenton, FL and Richard A. Morton, Jr. of Cumberland, ME; his four nieces, Nicole L. Raney of Dover, NH, Kimberly D. Hawkes-Fuller and her husband, Bob, of Portland, ME, Pam Taylor and her husband, Steve, of Porter, ME and Deb Haslam of Cumberland Center, ME.

John was predeceased by his wife, Pamela (Dutton) Raney, on November 11, 1996 and his eldest brother, Gerald L. Morton, Sr. on May 6, 2015.

Special thanks go out to friends: Richard McCauley, Marilyn Kane, Norman Berry and Guillermo Bejarano.

A service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery Chapel, 672 Stevens Ave, on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 11 AM, followed by a burial ceremony on Redwood Ave, at Evergreen Cemetery.

Care for John and his family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home.