James T. Rayburn Jr.

1924 - 2013

BORN

1924

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Williamson Funeral Home

1405 Lincoln Avenue

Jacksonville, Illinois

James Rayburn Obituary

James T. Rayburn Jr., 88, of Jacksonville, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2013, at Heritage Health in Jacksonville.

He was born July 28, 1924, in Chicago, the son of James Tinsley and Margaret Corl Rayburn. He married Rita "Toni" Kennedy on Aug. 25, 1953, in Eagle River, Wis., and she preceded him in death April 9, 2004.

He is survived by one daughter, Dr. Nancy R. (husband, Patrick) Bryant of West Linn, Ore.; one son, Dr. Barry K. (wife, Mindy) Rayburn of Homewood, Ala.; five grandchildren, Nolan Bryant, Treasa Bryant, Sarah Rayburn, Brooks Rayburn and Kennedy Rayburn; one brother, Gene Rayburn of Chicago; one sister, Ella Mayer of Skokie; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lewis and Dick Rayburn.

Mr. Rayburn graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering. Following World War II, he worked in shipyards on Guam and Hawaii in a civilian role to aid with the post-war efforts. He retired from the State of Illinois as the Chief Bridge Engineer for the Department of Transportation. He was a member of the Church of Our Saviour in Jacksonville. He had been a member of the ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Club and enjoyed fishing for muskie and walleye, especially in Northern Wisconsin near the Eagle River.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Church of Our Saviour, with burial at Calvary Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 12 noon-1 p.m. Friday at Williamson Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Routt Catholic High School. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.

Published by Jacksonville Journal-Courier on Feb. 28, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

Nancy and family:

I am so sorry to miss your father's service yesterday. I had a court conference that I was mandated to attend. I would have been there. Just the other day I was mentioning that I had not seen him in quite a while. Then not, a few days later I saw his obituary in the paper. Very sorry about your loss.

Carol Flynn

March 2, 2013

Nancy and Barry, So sorry for your loss all the best to your family.

Tony Thompson

March 1, 2013

Nancy and Barry, you are in my prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Jim and Toni were wonderful people and touched many peoples lives. Nancy, it was good talking to you recently, I'm glad we had that opportunity.

Tami (Gruber) Hammers

February 28, 2013

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Funeral services provided by:

Williamson Funeral Home

1405 Lincoln Avenue, Jacksonville, IL 62650

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