Rodney Eugene Fain

Rodney Eugene Fain, 77, of Valdosta died on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at South Georgia Medical Center after a long battle with cancer. He was born on August 5, 1935 in Ochlocknee, Georgia to the late David Eugene and Vergie Mae Castleberry Fain. After graduating from Georgia Southern with a degree in Education, he coached and taught in Valdosta and Lowndes School systems. He was head girls basketball coach at Lowndes High School and assisted with other sports as well. He was affectionately called "Coach" to this day by all who were in school during those years. He left that profession and went to work in sales at F.H. Ross Chemical Company in Jacksonville, Florida. Then he established Valdosta Industrial Chemical Company and settled in Valdosta. In later years he owned and operated Champion Gyms, Inc. He was a member of Rotary and various other community service organizations over the years. He served as Board Member and Chairman of the Board of Lowndes Advocacy Resource Center many times over the last 40 years as well as on the Foundation Board once it was established. He was an avid Georgia Bulldog fan. Mr. Fain was a member of First Christian Church and served as Deacon and the Elder. He loved his church family.

Survivors include his wife, Denise Akins Fain of Valdosta; daughters and sons-in-law, Rhonda and Robert Gaskins of Dadeville, Alabama, Julie Nijem Wright and Tim Wright of Valdosta, Sheri and Mark Larimore of Montgomery, Alabama, Wendy Fain of Valdosta, and Tiffany and Todd Noles of Nashville, Georgia; mother in law, Esther Akins of Waycross; grandchildren and their spouses, Brandy McManus, Abbi and Paul Mangarelli, Jourdan and Pete Parenteau, Kaylan Coker and Steve Przyborski, Haley Larimore, Anna Larimore, Nancy Larimore, Hunter Noles and Brooklyn Noles; great grandsons, Dawson and Zack McManus; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marjorie and Bob Boggs of Lake Park, Judy and Bill Horne of Jasper, Florida and Shirley Fain of Bradenton, Florida; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jane and Frank Clanton of Inman South Carolina, Marian and Bo Bowden of Easley, South Carolina, Connie and Doug Whitacre of Lakeville, Minnesota; childhood friend, Wayne Daugherty of Cairo, Georgia; special friends and neighbors, Sue Nell Massengale of Cairo, Georgia, Jane and Jack Anthony of Alexander City, Alabama Brad, Cynthia and Amanda Frantz of Valdosta; his devoted and loving four-legged buddies, Roscoe, Amos and Katie Mae. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Kenneth, Harry, Donald and Ennis (Beau) Fain and sisters Barbara Fain and Geraldine (Johnny) Johnson; special friends, Bill Massengale, Jerry Lanier and Jim Jennings.

A memorial service for Rodney Eugene Fain will be held at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the First Christian Church with Reverend Chris Michael officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers donation may be made in memory of Rodney Fain to the LARC Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 2648 Valdosta, Georgia 31604. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.


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