Ronnie Carroll Rains

Ronnie Carroll Rains passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler Texas.

He was born in Flint, Texas on December 12, 1942, to Gordon Burton and Opal Alene Rains. Ronnie attended schools in Whitehouse, Rice Elementary, and John Tyler High in Tyler Texas. He spent his entire life in the Tyler area, with the exception of one year spent in Fairbank Iowa.

Following school Ronnie began working in the Produce Department at Brookshire's Grocery . Over the years, he held many hardworking and dedicated roles including making "Patio Pal" charcoal grills for Southern Aluminum Foundry, working as an assemblyman at Carrier Air Conditioning and Heating, and servicing and installing air conditioners and furnaces for Andrews Revere Air Conditioning and Heating. He later became a co-owner of Four Seasons Air Conditioning and Heating.

In 1974, Ronnie joined Texas Distributors, where he serviced and installed units until 1979. That year, he began his career in the Maintenance Department at The University of Texas at Tyler. He retired in 1992 as Power Plant Supervisor.

After retirement, Ronnie experienced many years of heart-related health issues, which ultimately led to him receiving a heart transplant at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas on June 11, 2007.

Despite his challenges, Ronnie enjoyed staying active, whether working in his yard or puttering around the house. He took great pride in being able to fix most things himself and rarely needed to call a repairman.

Ronnie never met a stranger- he could talk to anyone and was always willing to help those in need. He loved to share stories, especially with his children and grandchildren. Time with family and friends was his greatest joy, whether it was playing cards, enjoying a game of 42, or simply visiting. Golf was also a beloved pastime; at one point, he and his wife, Marion, were known to have played as many as 54 holes in one day! He was proud to have earned 2 holes-in-one during his golfing years.

Ronnie was a member of First Baptist Church in Bullard Texas. He married Marion on April 5, 1979, and together they built a life filled with love and family.

He leaves behind his wife Marion; four children, Denise Lyn Rand and husband Johnny of Kaufman, Texas, Michael Richard Evans of Ridgeland, Mississippi, Lisa Marie Whisenhunt and husband Brad of Tyler, Patrick James Evans and wife Rejean of Tyler; his brother Charles, and sister Shelia Pierson.He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 8 great- grand children, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother Jerald; and his sister, Betty McNeese.

Memorial services are pending.

The family requests that donations be made in Ronnie's name to Hospice of East Texas.