Paul W. Rainey, 80, of Austell, GA, died on Sunday, May 27, 2012, at his home after a battle with cancer.
His remains were donated to the Emory University School of Medicine. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 15, at Presbyterian Village in Austell, GA.
Mr. Rainey was born in Hillsboro, the son of Charles F. and Faye (Park) Rainey. He married Virginia Culwell in Texas, and they divorced in 1984. He then married Marcia (Novak) Wlezien in July 1996, and she survives.
A 1949 graduate of Hillsboro High School, he attended the University of Illinois. He then joined the United States Air Force, serving at the James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, TX, and played the sousaphone in the 684th Air Force Band.
After serving in the Air Force, Mr. Rainey worked at the Eagle Picher Corporation laboratories in Hillsboro. He completed teaching degrees at Eastern Illinois University and Illinois Wesleyan University, with additional graduate work at the University of Illinois.
While living in Illinois, he taught mathematics at Leroy, Paxton and Champaign High Schools, and at York High School in Elmhurst, where he also served as assistant band director for four years. Later, he became manager of information systems for the Elmhurst School District, retiring from that position in 1993.
Mr. Rainey was a longtime member of the Medicare 7, 8 or 9 Dixieland Band, which was a function of the University of Illinois Alumni Association, and played both tuba and bass violin in that group for almost 20 years.
He was also a member and volunteer of Peachtree Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, GA, and Christ Church of Oak Brook. He was a longtime member of the American Legion and the Chicago Federation of Musicians.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Rainey is survived by four children, Jean Bremer of David Junction, David Rainey of Villa Park, Phillip Rainey of Wentzville, MO, and Carol (husband Patrick) Keenan of Oakbrook Terrace; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Charles Eugene Blunk of Eureka, CA.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Fay Pearl (Rainey) Blunk.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Caring Hands Fund of Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell, GA, 30106.
