Obituary: Thomas W. “Big Tom” Rainey Jr.
Thomas W “Big Tom” Rainey Jr. was born on February 9, 1945, in Jackson, Tennessee.
He grew up in Bolivar, Tennessee where he attended Bolivar Elementary School and graduated from Bolivar Central High School in 1963. Following graduation, he attended the University of Tennessee at Martin where he graduated in 1967 with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. He later received his master’s degree from Ohio State University through the School Executive Development Program.
While attending college, he met and married the love of his life, Marianne Jones. They married on June 10, 1966, and recently celebrated 58 years of marriage.
During his time at college, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, as well as the Scabbard and Blade Military Honor Society.
Mr. Rainey served his country proudly as a decorated military captain in the US Army. He served as battery commander, 7th battalion, 17th field artillery regiment while stationed in the Korean DMZ.
Following his military service, he began his work career with Dover Elevator Corp, later Thyssen Krupp Elevator, in 1971 and served for 43 years eventually retiring as President of US Manufacturing.
Mr. Rainey lived in the Collierville area for 45 years prior to retirement. He was a member of Fisherville Baptist Church and Collierville First Baptist Church serving in various roles teaching youth during that time. Following his retirement, he relocated to his farm in McNairy County and became a member of Ramer Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school until his illness prevented his attendance.
He was an avid outdoorsman. Mr. Rainey’s deep passion and interest in wildlife conservation was illustrated by his service on the state board of directors for the National Wild Turkey Federation for 18 years. He was elected to the state NWTF Turkey Hunters Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2019, he was recognized by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency through a resolution for his work and contributions in wildlife conservation.
Mr. Rainey is survived by his wife, Marianne Jones Rainey of McNairy County; children, Thomas David Rainey of McNairy and Steven Todd Rainey (Leigh Anne) of Collierville; grandchildren, Taylor Anne Rainey Liddell (Caleb) of Paragould, Arkansas, Thomas Daniel Rainey Sr. of Collierville, and Steven Jacob Rainey of Collierville; great-grandchild, Thomas Daniel Rainey Jr. of Collierville; sister, Peggy Rainey Adelman of Bolivar, Tennessee; along with many loving in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas W. Rainey Sr., and Nellie Owen Rainey of Bolivar, Tennessee; grandparents, Nancy and James Rainey, and Rosetta and John Oliver Owen.
Donations in memory of Mr. Rainey may be made to the Selmer First Baptist Church Children’s and Youth Ministries Fund where Marianne and his son Tom currently attend.
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Selmer, Tennessee.
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