RAINES THOMAS E

LTC Thomas E. Raines was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 01/19/1996 at the age of 65.7 from Cancer
San Francisco, CA
Date of Birth 05/16/1930
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
This information was provided by SSN deceased search

More detail on this person: Thomas Raines operations chief at Montgomery Field Thomas Raines operations chief at Montgomery Field San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - Friday, February 9, 1996 Thomas E. Raines, a decorated Marine Corps aviator who served for the last 12 years as operations supervisor at Montgomery Field in Kearny Mesa, died of cancer Jan. 19 in his Ramona home. He was 65. One of his last accomplishments at the airport was spearheading a runway extension that enables departing aircraft to reach a higher altitude when passing over residential areas. The result: less noise in the immediate area and enhanced safety. "He was extremely proud and always conscious of Montgomery Field's safety record during his years as manager," said his wife, Lorraine. Mr. Raines was president in 1989 and 1990 of the Ramona Kiwanis Club, from which he received distinguished president and emerald honors in recognition of his service. He was named Ramona's "Kiwanian of the Year" in 1993 and served from 1992 to 1993 as lieutenant governor for Kiwanis Division 37, which encompasses 19 North County clubs. When Mr. Raines retired in 1975 as a lieutenant colonel after 27 years in the Marine Corps, he had accumulated several decorations. They included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, the Combat Action Ribbon and other awards for duty in Vietnam and elsewhere. His military assignments included flying the presidential helicopter for Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. He was born in Kokomo, Ind., and lived in Vista before moving to Ramona nine years ago. In addition to his wife, Mr. Raines is survived by three daughters, Karen Hyde, of Mobile, Ala., and Jebbie Austin and Nancy Raines, both of Guntersville, Ala.; two brothers, Bruce Raines, of Kokomo, and Creston Raines, of Port Townsend, Wash.; a stepbrother, Jim Delano, of Kokomo; and three grandchildren. Cremation was planned. Private inurnment was to be in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Donations are suggested to the Boys & Girls Club of Ramona, P.O. Box 1915, Ramona, CA 92065.

Burial information: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA

This information was last updated 04/07/2020

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association