Jack Everett Rains

82, passed away October 22, 2011; a resident of Beech Grove, he was born on October 16, 1929 in Beech Grove, Indiana to the late Henry Everett Rains and Margaret Dorothy (Shelby) Rains McCurdy. He was preceded in death by his devoted and loving wife of 42 years, Charlotte "Mim" (Cook) Rains, who passed away in September 1991. He was married to Francis Eilene (Moody) for the past 19 years.

Jack attended Beech Grove High School, Franklin Township Schools and later served 17 years in the United States Navy Reserve as a boatswain's mate. He heralded from a family of printers and spent the vast majority of his career at White Arts, Incorporated from which he retired after more than 40 years of employment in 1998. Aptly named, he truly was a "jack of all trades" — airplane pilot, boat pilot, handyman, house builder, mechanic, motorcycle rider, printer, RV camper, truck driver, and volunteer firefighter. His interests were multi-faceted but his demeanor and outlook on life was never changing. An optimist's optimist, Jack was always there to motivate and encourage others.

As a young man, Jack was hired by Mr. Churchman to cut Elmwood Ave. in Beech Grove with a team of horses - a distinctive "S" curve that would forever leave an imprint on the city's landscape. As a teenager, he worked with his uncle repairing crash fences at Stout Field during World War II. As a newlywed, he built the family home that his daughter was raised in and he resided on the family property until his passing. Although he has passed on to be reunited with his beloved Mim in heaven, his legacy lives on in the contributions to his fellow man and lasting impressions on the family he loved so greatly.

A leader in the greater Indianapolis community, Jack was a past president of the Murat Mini Cycles and Stars of

Indy Camping Club, as well as a founding member and first Fire Chief of the Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Franklin Township. A member of the First Baptist Church of Beech Grove after being a longtime member of Victory Memorial UMC prior to its closing, John H. Holiday Jr., American Legion Post 186, Indianapolis Scottish Rite, Beech Grove Masonic Lodge # 694, Murat Temple, and the Stars of Indy Chapter Good Sam's Camping Club. A true people person, Jack loved to sit out at the campfire and reminiscence with his friends on Stars of Indy campouts.

A devoted family man, Jack was a past DeMolay Dad, Job's Daughters Dad, and two-time member of the Orange Shoes pit crew for the Beech Grove High School Marching Hornets for his daughter Jacki and grandchildren Richard and Amanda. He taught the principles of unconditional love and mentorship to his entire family. Among his fondest memories was pulling in his driveway and seeing his grandchildren running to his pickup truck door to greet him after a long day.

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Francis Eilene (Moody); devoted daughter, Jacki S. (Eric) Brown; grandchildren Richard Everett (Heather) Brown and Amanda J. Brown; great grandsons, Andrew Everett Brown and Robert C. Brown; sisters, Dorothy "Dottie" Rains Loomis, CA and Shirley (Rains) Darnell of Clear Lake, CA; step children, Donna (Mike) Harrison of Indianapolis, Dennis (Joyce) Weston of Michigan, Dee Smith of Indianapolis and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Funeral Services will be held at Little & Sons Funeral Home Beech Grove on Tuesday October 25, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 24, 2011 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 PM in the funeral home. Graveside military honors will be performed by the Beech Grove American Post # 276 in Washington Park East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in the memory of Jack E. Rains may be made to the First Baptist Church of Beech Grove, 5521 Churchman Ave., Indianapolis, In. 46203 http://www.littleandsonsbeechgrove.com