Mr. Shane Travis Raines

Shane Travis Raines "Travis" as those who knew and loved him called him passed away suddenly on Christmas morning at the age of 37. He grew up in Cross Lanes. He excelled at all things academic and athletic, enjoying coaching, refereeing and loved math and science. He graduated from Nitro High School in 1994 Summa Cum Laude. He attended the University of Missouri-Rolla and WVU graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1998 from WVU with a double Bachelor of Science in math and economics. He was active in all aspects of college, notably National Residence Hall Association and economics club. He was a published scientist prior to graduation, writing on game theory with Dr. Russell Sobel. He attended the University of North Carolina and was ABD in Economics, having been the only person in the history of the University to win all of their teaching awards. He expressed his incredible talent for teaching complex math and economics at UNC, Duke University, Guilford College and Saginaw Valley State University. Travis started his PhD in Economics at WVU in August 2013, completing his first semester with a 3.9 gpa and looking forward to the coming semester and teaching Behavorial Economics next summer. He was happy, dedicated and surrounded by loved ones. He loved all things sports, education and travel. Travis spent a great amount of time watching football and analyzing sports statistics with his cat Leo sitting in his lap. He was most definitely an animal lover. He read through books by the dozen, always happy to learn anything new. He is survived by his "soul" mate and wife of more than 10 years, Christi. Best friend and brother, Joshua Raines (Vivian Bird), beloved nephew, Gavin. Parents Jeanne Jeffers and Gregory Raines, grandparents, James and Jean Jeffers, Russell and Jackie Raines as well as his extended family and dozens of close friends. For the past two years Travis suffered from a flesh eating bacteria and associated complications but was being treated by amazing doctors at the Cleveland Clinic seemingly on the mend. His passing was sudden but peaceful. Funeral service will be Saturday, January 4 at noon at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, 5233 Rocky Fork Rd, Cross Lanes, WV with a visitation from 10:00 AM until service time. In lieu of flowers please consider charitable donations for his family, or Make A Wish Foundation or Cleveland Clinic.