Richard “Rusty/Russ” Russell Raines Jr., 78, died on Nov. 12, 2024, at his home in Lampasas. He was born on Jan. 9, 1946, in Tifton, Georgia, to Richard Russell Raines Sr. and Lanelle Angeline (Jordan, Miller) Raines.
Services will be held at Rainey Family Funeral Services, 1415 E. 24th Ave., Cordele, Georgia, on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Visitation also will be at the funeral home at 1 p.m., prior to the service.
Interment will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Cordele.
Rusty grew up in Cordele, Georgia, where he graduated from Crisp County High School in 1965.
He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Valdosta State University. After completing his education, he began a distinguished career, initially in the private sector, before joining the federal government as a logistics supervisor in the P-3 program with Naval Air Systems Command. His work exemplified dedication and excellence, and he retired in 2008 after 30 years of service.
Throughout his life, Rusty was engaged in his community, serving in various civic activities and earning a 16-year service pin for his work with the Methodist church. He was a man of deep faith, integrity and kindness.
Russ married Catherine in 1980 in Jacksonville, Florida, and together they built a life over 44 years of marriage. He was known as a devoted husband, loving father and playful “Granddad” to his grandchildren.
His love of photography captured countless family memories, and he took immense joy in spending time with his family, especially during holidays and the grandchildren’s activities. His humor and lighthearted antics, including his tradition of “stealing” candy from his grandchildren, brought laughter to those around him.
Russ was preceded in death by his father, Richard Russell Raines Sr., and his mother, Lanelle Angeline Miller.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine of Lampasas; his children, Catherine (Scott) Knussmann of Georgetown, Texas, and Richard Russell “Trey” Raines III (Stephanie) of Bushwood, Maryland; his stepfather, James Miller, of Waycross, Georgia; his sister, Tamza Brumley of Duluth, Georgia; grandchildren Jake, Dylan, Payton, Emily, Kamryn, Reagan and Riley; and a nephew, David Brumley.
