Rainey Henley Ashcraft Sr.

1956 - 2016

Rainey Henley Ashcraft, Sr., 60, passed away Monday, July 4, 2016. He was born January 9, 1956 in Union County, son of the late John Bulla and Nancy Jane Kennedy Ashcraft.

After graduating from Monroe High School and Wingate College, Rainey worked as the business manager for the family-owned Enquirer-Journal. Rainey was a long standing member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Monroe and devoted his life to volunteering in the local community. He was an active member of the Monroe Jaycees and served several terms as president, earning the honor of JCI Senatorship. Rainey's true passion lay with Union Diversified Industries where he held a 30 plus year tenure as a board member. UDI honored him by forming the R. Ashcraft Chapter of the Monroe Jaycees. Rainey was also elected by the community to serve on the Union County Board of Education. His devotion to service earned him many honors including Outstanding Young Man of America.

Anyone who knew Rainey knew that his first focus was his family. He devoted countless hours to Mecklenburg Aquatic Club and Monroe Swim Team, where all three of his children swam. He was the official family photographer for the Ashcraft clan, recording dozens of family get-togethers. When anyone, family or friend, needed help with a computer, moving, repairing, signs, anything, Rainey was the first to volunteer. He was a true helper in every sense of the word.

Mr. Ashcraft was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, A.G. and Jeannette Davenport, and his grandson, Ashton Henley Harcourt. He is survived by his loving wife, Teresa Davenport Ashcraft, his children, Jennifer Ashcraft Harcourt (Ashton) of Louisville, KY, Michelle Ashcraft Shaffer (David) of New Bern, NC, and Rainey Henley Ashcraft, Jr. of Raleigh, NC, his grandchildren, Kennedy and Ashton Harcourt, and Vinnon Shaffer, his sister, Nancy Ashcraft Noles (Gary), his brothers, John Ashcraft, Jr. (Debbie), Eugene Ashcraft, and Mark Ashcraft (Marsha), his brother-in-law, Mark Davenport (Barbara) and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Union Diversified Industries, PO Box 492, Monroe, NC 28111, Hospice of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110 or St. Paul's Episcopal Church the Nancy K. Ashcraft Endowment Fund, 116 S. Church St., Monroe, NC 28112.

The family will visit with friends and relatives Friday, July 8, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM in Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Ashcraft family.