Thomas Wesley Rainey

Thomas W. Rainey of Albuquerque New Mexico passed away at the age of 88 on Friday, December 13, 2019 from the cumulative effects of several health and physical challenges.

Tom or T.W. as he was known, was born on Thursday, June 11, 1931 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Thomas and Dorothy Rainey but spent most of his childhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended Lincoln Junior High School and then Albuquerque High School. He played football for AHS and then joined the U.S Air Force upon graduation. Tom traveled the world in his early military service years and eventually was stationed at the original Air Force Academy in Denver Colorado. It was there that he met his wife to be, Patricia Cleavinger (Pat) and they were married in the Academy Chapel on June 11, 1956, beginning their 63-year adventure around the world together.

Tom was a proud Air Force veteran serving a tour of duty in Korea and multiple combat deployments to Vietnam and Southeast Asia. He also served foreign duty assignments, accompanied by his family, to the Philippines and Iran. After nearly a quarter century of military service, Tom retired from the Air Force and returned to his hometown of Albuquerque to begin a second career with the Santa Fe Railroad. He and Pat indulged their love of travel and were always eagerly planning their next “road trip”.

Tom was always involved in community service and gave generously of his time and talents whether it be serving as a deacon at Westgate Baptist Church in Tampa Florida or his children’s school PTA groups, his membership in the Lions Club, the Fraternal Order of Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans or in his many ways of helping and mentoring his neighbors and friends. His was a servant’s heart and he was always the one asking “how can I help?”

Tom and Pat had a wide circle of friends that they considered close and about whom they cared deeply. They loved to travel, loved to go see their friends, loved their pilgrimages to Bullhead City and loved the Denver Broncos, but most of all they loved their family.

Tom is survived by his son, Terry and wife, Calleen; his daughter, Tammy and her husband, Jim; his son, Timothy and his wife, Jovonna; granddaughters, Sarah and Jessica; grandsons, Jason, Coy, Benjamin and Adam; great-granddaughters, Emmea, Harlow and Nora; great-grandsons, Oliver and John; and by his dog Buddy, his cherished companion.

He was preceded in death by Patricia, his beloved wife of 63 years and his younger brother, Revel.

Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens will be held in a private service. A Memorial service will be scheduled at a later date to honor the life of Thomas.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in honor of Thomas W. Rainey to The Wounded Warrior Project.

Arrangements handled by FRENCH-University. The family would like to express their deepest thanks to the many healthcare professionals, caregivers, neighbors and friends that went so far above and beyond to provide personal care and comfort to the man that we love so much