George Rainwater

George Donald Rainwater, Don, "Donnie",80 years old, formerly of Atlanta Georgia, passed into the arms of Jesus on March 12, 2025 at Advent Ocala Hospital.He was born in Atlanta the son of Mary Sara Stone and George Faye Rainwater on June 28, 1944.
Donnie, as he was called by classmates, lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Stone Mountain high school graduating in 1962. But by age 17 a sportswriter from the Atlanta Journal and Constitution was writing articles about him. He praised his pitching, citing his one run allowed in 33 innings of baseball.
He went on to say that he was even more talented as a catcher. His batting average was.677. He went on to study at Georgia Southern College on a baseball scholarship. In his second year he was approached by the Minnesota Twins to join the farm league. Alas, this southern gentleman chose to stay in Atlanta, transferring to the University of Georgia in Marietta to be closer to his future wife Georgina Darby. They were married in 1965 by A. L. Hendricks, his former baseball coach and also minister. A.l. was a former major league baseball star.
His working career included sales for Pepsi,Heintz, Louisianne, Bordan, Dannon and TOPS, a phone system that placed payphones in tourist areas.He later trained for and opened his own locksmith business in 2000. He and Lois worked side by side until 3 months ago when he became ill. He worked mainly in The Villages.
He had been divorced a year when he met the love of his life at Sweetwater Baptist Church in Longwood Florida. He was attending to check out the baseball team of the church on October 4, 1992, and met Lois Kraft whom he married on Sanibel Island on October 24 of the same month.
Don leaves behind a Sister Janice (Jim) Yahres; son Mark (Kim), a daughter Stacey, stepdaughters Angela (Dan) Markwalder, and Nikki (Jason) Workmaster, and step son Rob Overneyer. Grandchildren include: Corey (Aliana) Rainwater, Jessica Rainwater, Amanda Champion, and Chris Rainwater, Robbie, Nathan, Jeremiah, and Colin Markwalder, Charles, Schuyer, Emma, Cate,Isabella, and Sebastian Workmaster, and Amber Reynolds (Brad). Greatgrandchildren include: River and Addison Rainwater, Chase, Madison Case, and Kimberly and Chris Jr. Rainwater.
Don was an avid reader averaging 50 books a year. He also included at least 3 Bible chapters a day. He golfed, loved card games and until his late 50's played baseball for church leagues.
"For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.