Thomas R. Raines

In the early morning hours of September 4, 2025, with his wife and best friend of 45 years by his side, Thomas Richard Raines transitioned peacefully from his life here on earth to be with his Lord and Savior for eternity.

Born in Japan, he spent his growing up years in Seattle, WA; Slidell, LA and Huntsville, AL. He played football in high school and the trumpet in the band, also enjoying snow skiing and playing his 12 string guitar. His grandfather was a Baptist preacher, his mother a history teacher and his father worked for the space program, including helping build the 1st land rover for the moon. He was predeceased by his only sibling Timothy. Their family favorite times together involved camping and fishing and as a result, later on in his adult years, he enjoyed taking up hunting.

He was proud of being able to serve his country through his 29 years in the active duty and reserves in the Navy. He came to know Christ as Savior while in the service and enjoyed some close friendships with other Christian sailors, several of whom were stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station and traveled down to Grace Baptist to attend there.

To know Thom was to know that he was an observer. He was not one for the spotlight and was a man of relatively few words but he held his responsibilities as a child of God, husband and provider for his family with the utmost reverence. He faithfully attended Grace Baptist Church for over 50 years, helping to build the church from its beginning and served as an usher, a treasurer singing bass in the choir and a quartet, as well as working in the bus program. In fact he and his wife spent their 1st dating days taking those bus kids home on Sundays and then driving the bus to a restaurant or even to park it in her mom's driveway to visit his future mother-in-law. Thom spent countless hours canvassing Portland handing out tracts and encouraging others to come to church and learn about Christ. He was honored to serve as a church trustee for many years.

When he wasn't serving his church community, Thom devoted his life to his wife Julie and the raising of their two children Joshua and Jessica.He loved to be at their home in Bowdoin, taking care of their property and being outdoors enjoying the quiet serenity of nature. He introduced his family to camping and experiencing God's creation, including enjoying a yearly whitewater rafting trip. As his children grew he was committed to watching them play the sports they loved and attending their band and choral concerts and school events . He was able to stand by his son's side as a groomsman when Joshua married his wife, Keala, and then walked Jessica down the aisle to marry her husband, Kyle. He delighted in attending and hearing about all the doings of his 6 grandchildren.

Perhaps even more than being there for the big moments, Thom also made an impact in the smaller, more subtle ways that his family will never forget. He was the husband who made sure his wife had a meaningful flower arrangement every year on their anniversary. He was the father who read The Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher to his toddlers during the holidays, he was the Papa who sat with a cat and a cup of coffee with his grandkids playing at his feet. He was the man who smelled like freshly cut grass in the summer, and coffee on Sunday mornings. You could find him slacks or dungarees, a pearl snap button down and a pair of cowboy boots.

In the days before he passed, Thom was surrounded by those he valued most in his life. His last moments of clear thoughts were spent with his wife and children making jokes and telling them he loved them. While we will miss him, we know he is no longer in pain and is enjoying the fruits of his faith in Jesus as he walks on streets of gold. We mourn the quiet shadow that was the foundation of a strong family unit, but rejoice that he has heard the words he so desperately longed to hear from the moment he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

"Well done my good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord"