Charles Howard Rainey

On the morning of November 1st, Charles Rainey died peacefully.

Charles Howard Rainey was born in Ogden, Utah on January 24, 1955. His mom said when he was born, he had his big eyes wide open, looking around at everything, taking in all the people and surroundings.

Charles was the first child born to parents Howard and Bernice Rainey. He was to become the big brother to Dale, Dianne, Brad and Paul. Charles was a very curious and energetic kid who would push the limits and constraints of his patient and loving parents. Even though he fought with his younger brother and sister, he was also their protector from school bullies. His disdain for bullies and hypocrites would stay with him his entire life.

Charles married Trudy Brown in 1974. They soon had three children running around the house: Greg, Jennifer and Michele. The family lived in Elsinore, Utah with Charles working in Sigurd at U.S. Gypsum. After a number of years, the family moved to Cedar City, Utah, to begin a new job and with new surroundings.

It seems in life that tragedy will come into our lives, and Charles’ came in 1999 when his two daughters were in a car crash that resulted in ending the life of Jennifer.

Another bump in the road occurred in 2014 when Charles and Trudy decided to end their marriage and get a divorce.

Charles moved to Parowan and made numerous lasting friends and spent time with his daughter Michele and her family.

Charles always loved a great deal or bargain, whether it was tools, food or clothing. He had an incredible sweet tooth and would wax poetic on all his favorites. But the love of his life was Classic Coke, not the diet or caffeine free, but the full leaded, high fructose variety. He drank it right up to the day he died.

After his retirement from Iron County, Charles’s health started to decline. He suffered from multiple myeloma, heart disease, bad kidneys, a perforated colon and diabetes. He relied more and more on his daughter Michele and her husband, Bo Brown. They essentially became his personal 24 hour crisis call center. Numerous times they were called by Charles at all hours to come to his rescue or run him to the hospital. Michele got to see the best and the worst of her dad as he struggled with pain and close calls to death. On more than one occasion, doctors and health professionals told her and Bo that Charles should not be alive with the trauma he was going through. It became clear later why he survived so many close calls. Charles was truly tough as nails and hard headed. He also realized he still had an ocean of Coke to drink before his time was up. In fact, his family contacted Coke-a-Cola’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia to inquire if there was an award or medal for “most Coke consumed”. Coke’s representatives told them there wasn’t and to never call again.

Charles was a stubborn man. He was blunt, argumentative and direct. He was also fearless, honest, a hard worker and a talented storyteller. And he will be missed.

Charles is survived by his children Greg (Valerie) and their children Bella and Sophia. Michele (Bo) and their children Porter and Lincoln.  He is also survived by Grandson Devin Dial who is the son of Jennifer Rainey, his daughter who is deceased.  

Charles is also survived by his brother Brad (Michelle) and their children Heather, Alexi and Ethan, and by his brother Paul (Melanie) and his children Miranda and Hayden.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Dale, his sister Dianne and his daughter Jennifer.

The family wants to thank Snow Canyon Retirement community and summit home health and hospice for their loving care of Charles.