of Little Rock, AR
April 30, 1940 - February 28, 2023
John Michael Rainwater, 82, passed away on February 28th, 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
John was born on April 30th, 1940 to William and Marion Rainwater in Cold Springs, New York. He grew up mostly in Little Rock, AR before joining the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served as a boilerman on Navy destroyer ships for almost 4 years. He spent his post military years in California, where he re-connected with family members, worked on furthering his education and learned many trades, like arc welding, heating & air conditioning and became a machinist. He married Kristine Rainwater in 1967 in Santa Monica, CA. They later moved to Little Rock, AR to buy a house and start a family. John worked for Timex for several years then started his long career as a machinist/mechanic & tool maker with Maybelline, Loreal USA where he retired in 2005. John lived a full life with hobbies including photography, community theater, classical music, writing poetry, swimming, bicycling, running, golfing, camping, hiking, landscaping, education and volunteering. He was a devoted husband and loving father to his two daughters, Rebecca and Audrey and many family pets. John was an avid Los Angeles Angels & Arkansas Razorback fan, SCAN volunteer, acted in and produced several plays with the Community Theater of Little Rock, KLRE FM public radio supporter and wedding photographer. He loved the outdoors, science and the cosmos. He was loved by his family, many friends and co-workers throughout his long life and positively impacted the lives of everyone he had an interesting and witty conversation with.
John was preceded in death by his father, William Rainwater and mother, Marion Rainwater-Richards. His brother, Robert Rainwater and sister, Janet Rainwater; stepmother, Mary Cozad; stepsister, Donna Cox and nephew, Aidan O'Grady.
John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kristine Rainwater; sisters, Kaye Forrest and Linda Thacker; brother, Joel Richards; daughters, Rebecca Lowe, Audrey Rainwater; granddaughter, Natalie Leopard; nieces, Jennifer Oberling, Kim O'Grady and nephews, Joe Rainwater and Michael Jordan and several grand-nieces and nephews.
It was John's desire to donate his body to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, for medical research and education. The family will have a private memorial at a later date.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Briarwood Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Little Rock, AR and Gentiva Hospice for their great love, care and friendship to John for the past year. In lieu of flowers or donations, "do something kind for someone else today and don't tell anyone about it", one of the many original quotes by John.
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9 Condolence(s)
Benjamin Bell
Thursday, March 9, 2023
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Your dad was one of my neighbors and cheered me on running for years !
He was a great guy !!
Audrey Rainwater
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
I want to live forever
I want to live forever
See a new day dawn,
I want to live forever
To see what lies beyond
I want to live forever,
Seems I have no choice;
I want to live forever’…
If I only had a voice.
I want to live forever,
To live and grow so tall
But how can I walk on,
When I’ve only learned to crawl
I want to live forever
But to the piper I must pay
I cannot endure forever,
So, I’ll just live for today!
- John Rainwater
My Dad taught me how to be kind, strong, but mostly how to love. He is missed deeply.
Audrey Leigh Rainwater(daughter)
Harold G Green
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
My sincere condolences to the family of John Michael Rainwater.
Casey Penn
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Sending thoughts of deep love to the family in this time of great loss. Prayers for peace and comfort in the times to come. Rebecca, sending love to you and your family, my old friend. I have fond memories of my time spent at your house growing up, and your dad was always a bright spot.
Kristine Rainwater
Saturday, March 4, 2023
First, I want to thank everyone for heartfelt condolences and loving comments.
I want to mention that in trying to figure everything out, we made a mistake in this obituary by accidentally omitting a surviving nephew of John, Nathaniel Thacker. Please accept our apologies for that, Nate.
I miss my guy so much and have loved him all these 55 years. I will carry him in my heart forever. It was a long haul with Parkinson’s and he is finally at peace. I thank him every day for loving me and being a wonderful husband and father.
Lillian Paynter
Saturday, March 4, 2023
One of the best, for sure.
Megan Lillard / Habigborst
Friday, March 3, 2023
Auntie- Kris, sending positive vibes & prayers your way. I love you & Uncle John will be dearly missed! He always kept me laughing & I'm thankful for the last time we were able to visit with one-another, he seemed so happy! You are most definitely in my thoughts & lots of hugs from Meg, miles away!
~Love you always. â¤ï¸
Julie Brown
Friday, March 3, 2023
Kris I am so so sorry for you and your daughters loss. John was such a nice person great guy also he will be truly missed by friends and family.
Rebecca Lowe
Friday, March 3, 2023
I’ll see you in the stars tonight daddy. Miss your smile and your amazing hugs. â¤ï¸