John “Paul” Raines, of Bennington, Okla., passed from this life on Monday, February 20, 2023, at the age of 95. He was born during the days of the Great Depression on Thursday, Oct. 6, 1927, in Bennington, to Archie Willard and Bertha Mae (Stowe) Raines, whom he had always referred to as the best parents in the world.
Although he had previously resided in West Texas, he returned to Bennington, where he was born and raised. He married his beloved wife of 64 years, Lorene (Newman) Raines, on Dec. 7, 1948, in Cee Vee,Texas.
He turned 18 during World War II.He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 5, 1945. He served a year in Korea and made Corporal rank. He was very proud to serve and fight for the country he loved.
After being honorably discharged, he went to visit his family in San Francisco, Calif. before boarding a train back to Oklahoma. He was never so happy to see family in his whole life up until that moment. When he finally arrived in Durant, Okla. in his military uniform, he went to Bryan Hotel to pay for a room so that he could shower and change into street clothes before seeing his parents. The hotel clerk refused to charge him as a way to show appreciation for his service and welcomed him home. That was one moment that stuck with him for his entire life, and he was forever thankful.
He was always known to be a very hard worker. On 640 acres in Cee Vee, he farmed and raised cattle and horses. Over the years, he owned several businesses, including Fancy Freez, Rolling Plains Motel, Frame Shop and Raines Dirt Works.
He stopped going to school after the fall harvest of his eighth-grade year because he wanted to help his father with farming and tending to cattle. At the age of 73,with the help of his niece, Phyllis, and her husband, Billy Joe Cross, he earned his GED.
He enjoyed telling stories, playing dominos and 42, square dancing, reading his bible and Louis L’Amour books, listening to old country and gospel music, and eating ice cream and cornbread with milk. He especially enjoyed going to Branson, Mo. with his wife, where they enjoyed stage performances. He loved his horses, watching western television and spending time with his family.
He was an honest,kind and giving man who had an extreme love for his family. He valued honor, honesty, peace and hard work.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 ½ years, Lorene (Newman) Raines; parents Archie Willard and Bertha Mae (Stowe) Raines; siblings and their spouses Edna Mae Blankenship and husband Revo, LaVerne Phillips and husband Bob, Alton Wallace “AW” Raines and wife Hazel, Letha Kinsey and husband Winfred and Wanda Lee and husband Roger; and nieces and nephews Baby Phillips, Carl Wayne Phillips, Billy Blankenship, Brenda Raines Baca, David Raines, Dean Raines, Lana Lee, Steve Martin, Sammy D. Phillips, Billy Joe Cross,Phillip Garvin, Paula Simpkins, Arleen Carlton, JOHN ‘PAUL’ RAINES
Jus Alton Crain, Lee Davis Crain, Robert Phillips, Joey Baca,Frankie Baca,Larry David Raines, Gary Armor, Hali Lambert, Joe Holland, Bethany Harris,Elise Carlton, Ben Cross, Derek Hays and Tristan Jones.
Survivors include his son, Charles Paul Raines; daughter Candace “Candy”Hludzinski; grandsons Cameron Nabors and wife Veronica and Joshua Nabors; a multitude of nieces and nephews, 31 first generation, 65 second generation, 109 third generation, and 60 fourth generation; as well as many other extended family and friends.
A family visitation was held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at Reynolds Chapel in Bokchito, Okla. The funeral service followed at 2 p.m. with Bro. Greg Thralls officiating.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at Haven of Rest Cemetery in CeeVee.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. 3rd, Durant,OK 74701; 580-9169090; www.gordonfh.com.
