Daniel Gene Rainey

Daniel Gene Rainey, “Dan”, age 79, formerly of Griffin, Spaulding GA, passed away Monday, September 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM surrounded by family and friends.

Daniel was born to Luther and Lois Rainey on 20 June 1946, Griffin, Spalding Georgia. Daniel was the second oldest sibling of four children; Sandra, Leonard, and Kenneth. Daniel enlisted as an Airman Basic in the United States Air Force on 2 September 1964, during the height of the Vietnam War. Upon the completion of USAF Basic Military Training (BMT), Daniel attended technical training school where he mastered the craft of Information Management at Robins AFB, Warner Robins, GA. Soon thereafter, Daniel was called upon by the Secretary of Defense and the nation to serve in Vietnam, where he wrote amazing letters home to his mother, detailing his journeys and experiences he had with his fellow Airmen. He was deployed to and entered Vietnam through the forward operating base of Nakhon Phanom, RTAFB (Royal Thai Air Force Base) Thailand. After having served as Information Management Superintendent and two tours in Vietnam, the United States Air Force (USAF) recognized Daniel, and awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, a high-level award bestowed by South Vietnam upon military personnel or units for acts of Valor and Heroic conduct in combat against enemy forces. After the war Daniel was recognized for his leadership potential by his superiors. Daniel returned to the US and attended the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy in 1979, and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Academy in 1982 wherein he achieved the Distinguished Graduate awards. Daniel was stationed overseas in Clark Air Base (AB), Philippines for two separate non-consecutive assignments as First Seargent (11 Years), Misawa Air Base (AB), Japan as First Seargent & Senior Enlisted Advisor (2 years and 6 months). Daniel’s final assignment was acting as Superintendent of the Mission Support Squadron, at Travis Air Force Base (AFB) California where he retired after 30 years and 29 days of Honorable Service from the United States Air Force in the Grade of E-9, and rank of Chief Master Seargent on 30 September 1994. Daniel earned the prestige of retiring in the rank that only the top 1 percent (1%) of the Enlisted Corps ever achieve.

Daniel is survived by his wife Ludivina Rainey, his sister Sandra Daniel, his brother Kenneth Rainey, his sons Sean Rainey & Daniel “JR” Rainey, his daughters Mary Ann Simmons & Mary Grace Cochling and fourteen Grandchildren. His loved ones will be left with the memories of Daniel’s: endless thoughtfulness, selflessness for caring and putting others before himself, inspiration for our youth to join the United States military and serve, and his light sense of humor and jokiness.

A service honoring the life of Daniel Gene Rainey will be held at the Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming GA 30040, Saturday, 20 September 2025 at 10:00 AM to Noon (Viewing), and the Funeral Service at Noon. He will be laid to rest on Monday, 22 September 2025 at the GA National Cemetery in Canton GA, at 10:30 AM with full Military Funeral Honors.

Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA is in charge of arrangements.