of Proctor, AR

August 21, 1954 - September 22, 2024

In the early morning hours of Sunday, September 22, 2024 just as the sun was rising, John Clifton Rains of Proctor, Arkansas peacefully passed away. For those who knew and loved him, it is hard to believe that this man of men has departed this world. Born to Ethel Louise (Tucker) Rains & William Harold Rains in West Memphis, Arkansas on August 21, 1954, ''Johnny'' was the youngest of eleven siblings, having eight brothers and two sisters.

He grew up on Ninth Street in West Memphis riding his bike, playing on dirt piles and making ''dirt cities'' for his cars and trucks with neighborhood friends. After completing his least favorite chore of milking the family's cow each morning, his mother would pack him a homemade lunch and he would head to his father's service station to work. He spent many hours of his childhood at the station with his father, older brothers and the old-timers. This is where he mastered how to tell funny stories, fix cars and trucks and most importantly, where he became fluent in the art of cussing.

A 1970's heartthrob with dark shoulder length curls, Levi jeans, Chuck Taylor's and driving a rebuilt midnight blue '57 Chevy, Johnny missed the Vietnam draft by only six months. He fell in love with one of the neighborhood girls, Julia, who years earlier he had refused to share toy cars and trucks with and also ''shooed'' her out of his ''dirt cities''. They married in Memphis, TN in 1973 and for twenty one years with much grit and sacrifice managed to raise five children together. As a young father, Johnny coached T-Ball, served as a Sunday School Teacher and taught all of his children how to drive a 3-speed on the column, as soon as their feet could reach the clutch in his baby blue '68 Ford truck, ''Old Blue''. Johnny made certain that education was a priority among his children and was very proud that each of his children have college degrees and some with advanced degrees. He worked hard to support his young family and continued to support them in many different ways throughout his life. In 2020, he retired from FedEx after working in the transportation industry as a Diesel Mechanic for 50 years.

His greatest joy in life was his fourteen grandchildren. Johnny had a noticeable twinkle in his eye when he was with them. ''Papaw'' was at every special event in his grandchildren's lives. They will miss long drives and going to ''get a coke'', movie nights and living room picnics, his funny sayings and anything he cooked, especially his famous ribs. Papaw also taught each of his oldest grandchildren how to drive, except he spared them learning to drive on a standard shift, instead they learned in his red Chevy truck. Johnny was an exceptional cook and loved to make meals for his family and friends. In the early '90s, he was featured on the cover of the Commercial Appeal for his fried turkeys, helping to pioneer this cooking method. He also designed and built a stand up smoker out of an old propane tank and led his company's barbeque team on to a top five finish in ribs at the International Memphis in May Barbeque Festival in 1994. He was a gifted whistler and he had the ability to carry any tune. He wasn't one to "take any lip" from anybody, so when he was unjustly terminated for trying to organize a union, he took his lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court and he won.

Johnny leaves a legacy of sacrifice, strong-will, hard work and humor. His best attributes are apparent in each of his children. The oldest, Kristian Leigh inherited his charm, love and protection of family and resilience. Jeanie Louise will carry on his love of cooking, ability to make or fix anything and pride in growing beautiful things. The oldest son, John Dustin has his name, his perfectly timed blunt humor, quick wit and his love for hunting, fishing and the outdoors. His middle son, Marshall Rockton or "Little Johnny", the only child Johnny named, is dependable and tough as nails, yet sweet on the inside just like him. The youngest of the five, William Robert, got his handsomeness, willingness to lend a helping hand and a habit of always doing the right thing. Tanner Lane, his youngest is blessed with his sharp intellect and his mechanical inclination.

Johnny showed deep humility and humor until his last day. He lived his last few months in Jonesboro, Arkansas with the help of his family and trusted friend and caregiver, Angie Morris. She would often drive Johnny home to Proctor on the weekends, sharing with him many stories and laughs. To this day, she is the only person who knows where he kept his secret stash of sweets that his family never found. Johnny is preceded in death by both parents; seven siblings and his precious baby grand-daughter, Kelly Kay Rains. He leaves behind his ex-wife, Julia and his respected friend, Brent Rougeau; six children, Kristie (Rick) Rosenblum, Jeanie (Collin) Barber, Dusty (Jennifer) Rains, Rocky (Larissa) Rains, Bobby (Kristin) Rains and Tanner Rains; Twelve Grand-children, Lainee (Josh) McCrackin, Abby Rains, Wesley Barber, Aidan Barber, Stella Barber, Ella Rains, Kaylie Rains, Ada Bee Rains, Thorryn Rains, Idabelle Rains, Celia Rains and Sonny Rains and one Great Grand-child, Myles McCrackin.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Jonesboro St. Bernards Hospice Care team. In lieu of flowers, Johnny's family would be honored to have memorial donations made to the SSGT Taylor Hoover Memorial Foundation in honor of Taylor Hoover, Johnny's Great- nephew, for whom he had much respect.

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