Dr. Malcolm F. Rainey

Dr. Malcolm F. Rainey of Valdosta died on October 7, 2013. He was 88 years old. Dr. Rainey was born in Los Angeles, California on November 27, 1924, the son of Nicholas and Maria Rainey. Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 1, 1943. He served with PT Boat Squadron 18 in the south Pacific and in the liberation of the Philippine Islands during World War II. He enrolled at the Juilliard School of Music after his Navy discharge and was graduated with a B.S. Degree in music performance in 1951. He attended Columbia University and received his masters and doctoral degrees in 1952 and 1959. He began his teaching career with the Morristown, N. J. schools, was an administrator with the Red Bank schools, and an administrator and Superintendent of the Verona, N. J. school system. In 1978 he assumed the head of the leadership program at Union College, Kentucky. He came to Valdosta State College in 1980 and was selected by President Hugh Bailey to become his Vice President for Academic Affairs. He and Dr. Bailey worked to increase the enrollment of students and to expand the college's outreach programs at Bainbridge, Albany, and Waycross junior colleges as well as Moody Air Force Base and the Kingsland Submarine Base. He retired as Professor and Vice President for Academic Affairs Emeritus in 1994 from Valdosta State University as well as adjunct professor from Georgia State University. At VSU, he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Omicron Delta Kappa.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Bonnie Mitchell Rainey of Valdosta, a son Michael and daughter in law Meghan of Atlanta, a daughter Sarita Ann Rainey of Los Angeles, California, a sister Virginia Raso of Corona, California, a sister-in-law and brother-in- law Janine and James Cober of Dallas, Texas, a grandson, Matthew Rainey and granddaughter, Marissa Rainey of Atlanta, a nephew and niece, James and May Cober of Dallas, Texas, niece and nephew Julie and Tommy Mathis of Austin, Texas and niece and nephew Judy and Scott Nakamura of Corona, California. Other survivors include great-nephews and great-nieces in California and Texas and numerous relatives in New Jersey. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister Judith Ann O'Brien.
Dr. Rainey was a member of the Rotary Club for more than 50 years. During that time he served as president of the Verona Club in New Jersey and was awarded a Paul Harris fellowship and a Will Watt fellowship. He wrote the official greeting song for the Valdosta club. In 1979, he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Julian M. Carroll, of Kentucky. In 1988, with Dorothy Pearlman and John Youmans, Dr. Rainey organized and developed the Valdosta Theatre Guild as an outreach program of the Lowndes/Valdosta Arts Commission. They became its first three members and participated in most of its earliest productions. In 1990, with President Hugh Bailey and Dean Robert Welch, Dr. Rainey helped to found the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. He also served as president of the St. John's School Board for several years. Dr. Rainey and his wife Bonnie were avid world travelers, having visited more than 50 countries since his retirement in 1994.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2013 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Rev. Walter Hobgood will officiate. Committal of the urn will follow at the mausoleum at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Valdosta Symphony Guild Endowment Fund c/o VSU Foundation (1500 N. Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31698), The National Nature Conservancy (4245 N. Fairfax Drive Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606), or Hospice of South Georgia (2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602). Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602