Cover photo for Terry Don Rains's Obituary
Terry

Terry Don Rains

d. September 13, 2020

Terry Don Rains, 82, went to be with the Lord on Sunday September 13, 2020 in Albuquerque after an unrelenting battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born January 18, 1938 in Roswell, NM to Guy (aka Jack) and Mildred (Wilhite) Rains. He lived in Roswell for a few years, in San Francisco during the war, and then in Albuquerque since 1946. He graduated from Valley High School in 1957, began working at the Gas Company of NM that year, and retired in 1993 with 36 years of service. He married his high school sweetheart, Deanna Dukeminier, in 1958.

Terry will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. As much as we will miss him and grieve our loss, those closest to him believe he has been rescued from his difficult last few years to a peaceful, pain free, forever home with the Lord. We picture him as a younger self in full health teaching the little boys and girls how to throw a baseball, how to pitch, how to catch, how to bat, and how to run the bases with Nike, his beloved border collie, chasing the balls the kids miss. In this new place, he won't need to teach good sportsmanship, fair play, or respect.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Deanna (Dukeminier) Rains; daughter, Donna Payne and husband Frank of Albuquerque; son, David and wife Jackie of Parker, Colorado; son, Terry Jr. and wife Sherry of Roswell; 17 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other family, and friends; as well as numerous children in foster care who through the years called him Papaw. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mildred Rains; great granddaughter, Katalyst McDaniel; brother, Jerry Rains and sister-in-law Lynda Rains; sister, Beverly Cillessen; nephew, Tommy Cillessen, sister-in-law, Helen Duke; and brother-in-law, Dave Pruitt. Terry will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Terry was a jack of all trades and master of many including home maintenance, yard care, and vehicle upkeep passing along his work ethic to many. His motto was, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right". He could fix almost everything and build almost anything. He could fix a car, grow a garden, lay bricks, blocks, stone, and tile; do pipe fitting, plumbing, and electrical; hang wallpaper and paneling; install and repair appliances; finish concrete; texture drywall; build cabinets; and do whatever he set his mind to -- and then Alzheimer's slowly stole it all away.

He was an involved Dad and a great Papaw. He was a mentor and role model teaching by example confidence to try new things, the value of hard work, and the pride of a job well done. The love he gave all the children was immeasurable. They knew they were loved, worthy of being loved, and worthy of great things. Sometimes he was the biggest kid of all. It is sad that the younger children didn't get to know that amazing, caring, supportive, devoted, and playful Papaw. His favorite memories that persisted nearly to the end through his dementia were playing with the little kids, coaching Little League baseball and softball, fishing at Heron Lake with his grandkids, adding a den and bedroom to the home, and Nike his treasured border collie.

Thank you family and friends for the caring support through this difficult time - it means everything. Thank you caregivers at Tender Heart Assisted Living and High Desert Hospice.

Viewing and services will be at FRENCH - Lomas in Albuquerque. Because of current COVID-19 regulations, the number of people at FRENCH is limited. Face masks and social distancing are required. The family will host a viewing of up to 65 persons at a time on Friday, September 18, 2020 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A family-only Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2020, 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas officiated by Rev. Doug Chapman. Others can view the live streamed service by going to FrenchFunerals.com/listings, searching his obituary, and clicking on the live stream link. The slide show documenting his life in pictures will also be available on the FRENCH website. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM.

In lieu of flowers Terry and his family would be happy for you to hug a child and give a donation in his name to Shriner's Hospital for Children, St. Jude Research Hospital, Alzheimer's Association, or a charity of your choice.

Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Stephani Payne, Shaun Payne, Nick Payne, Shante' Payne, DeSean Payne, Josh Rains, Shannon Rains, and Dacota Rains.

The family would very much appreciate a memory or message from you on his Tribute Wall at FrenchFunerals.com/listings website.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Terry Don Rains, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, September 18, 2020

4:30 - 6:00 pm (Mountain time)

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Funeral Service

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Starts at 2:00 pm (Mountain time)

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