More detail on this person: The Lord called Thomas Dee Rains home on August 25th, 2020, in Williamsburg, Virginia. He passed suddenly and unexpectedly, though peacefully, following a minor back surgery, soon after getting home from the procedure. He was 76 years old. He is survived by his beautiful bride of 53 years, Lynn Rains (McBratney); his sister J'Ann Rains, of Santa Cruz, California; his son Kevin Rains, of Altoona, Iowa; and his son Jeffrey Rains, of Williamsburg, Virginia. Tom had seven grandchildren: Abigail Jane (22); Benjamin Michael (20); Addison America (13); Isaiah Michael Patrick (12); Luke John-Thomas (10); Ezekiel Michael Thomas (4); and Hannah Grace (2). He is preceded in death by his mother, Nettie Mae ("Niki") Rains (Cravens) and father John Thomas ("JT") Rains, of Antioch, California. Tom was born on July 14, 1944 in Antioch, California, to parents JT and Niki Rains. He spent much of his childhood in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska. Tom graduated from high school in 1962, in his native California, from Antioch High School. He earned a Bachelor's degree in 1976 in International Relations from Monterey Institute of International Studies, and a Master's degree from the Naval Post Graduate School in National Security Affairs in 1983. After attending a pre-med program at San Jose State University for one year, Tom took a job in 1963 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, near Santa Maria, CA. He was subsequently drafted into the U.S. Army, beginning active duty service on September 7th, 1965. He initially served as a 91E Dentist Specialist, and was promoted to the rank of Specialist 5. In August of 1967, he accepted an appointment as a Warrant Officer Candidate, earning the Basic Army Aviator Badge. During Tom's first tour in Vietnam (1967-68), he flew the first ever armed gunship UH-1 "Huey" and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters in the famed 334th "First With Guns" UTT. His Platoon Leader quickly realized his remarkable skill, bravery, and tactical prowess, and made him a Fire Team Leader despite his relatively low rank of Warrant Officer 1 (WO1). In September 1968, Tom accepted a Commission to the rank of Second Lieutenant, at Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam. One of Tom's most significant battles was fought during the 1968 Tet Offensive in 1968, at Bien Hoa air base. Tom served as an Instrument Instructor Pilot, Hunter Army Airfield (Savannah, GA) between combat tours. He selflessly volunteered for a second tour in (1971-72) where he served in 1st Aviation Brigade, flying predominantly the Bird Dog reconnaissance and forward observer fixed wing aircraft. He accumulated over 3,000 combat flight hours, many of which were flown at night before the advent of night vision goggles. His combat decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, with two Oak Leaf Clusters; the Bronze Star, with one Oak Leaf Cluster; the Air Medal (54 awards), with Valor Device (23 awards); and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star and with Silver Star. Other awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, with one Oak Leaf Cluster; the Master Army Aviator Badge; and the Air Assault Badge. Tom served on active duty for over 23 years. His assignments included 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, CA; the United States Military Academy at West Point; the U.S. Army Aviation Liaison to the French Army Aviation, Le Luc, France; and the 6th U.S. Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood, TX. Upon his retirement from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, Tom transitioned to the corporate world but stayed close to Army aviation. He worked at McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, in Mesa, AZ as the Director of Business Development, selling the AH-64A and AH-64D Apache helicopter to allied nations such as the United Kingdom, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He later served on RAH-66 Comanche developmental program in Ridley Park, PA. Tom was a good a faithful servant to the Lord. His passion was mentoring and discipling to his beloved friends and small business owners and CEOs as the Chair of the C12 organization in the Huntsville, AL area. His contributions to God's kingdom in this ministry are immeasurable and will impact the lives of thousands for many years to come. Tom loved his wife Lynnie and was very proud of his two boys Kevin Michael and Jeffrey Scott. He was quick to brag about his seven GRAND-babies. There will be a memorial service in the near future in Huntsville, AL. Internment is planned at Arlington National Cemetery.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 09/16/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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