Robert (Bob) Dean Rainwater, son of the late Roscoe Rainwater and Mae VanMatre Rainwater, was born on Feb. 2, 1946, in Clubb, Missouri, and departed his life on Aug. 29, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, MO at the age of 75 years. Bob’s death came as a shock to his friends and family. He had contracted the COVID 19 DELTA variant and was gone in a matter of days. The family would like to encourage everyone to get fully vaccinated so they do not have to suffer the way Bob did or have to bury their loved one.
Mr. Rainwater was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving off the coast of Vietnam on the U.S.S. Forrestal during the horrific accidental fire. He was also a former art teacher that was well loved in the Puxico, Centerville, and Oran school districts. Bob had also worked for a local electrician and owned and ran his own cabinetry business. Prior, he had pastured 2 different churches and then became the assistant pastor of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship for many years. In more recent years, he attended the New Covenant Fellowship Church in Poplar Bluff and was a resident of Poplar Bluff. He was a licensed ham radio operator, enjoyed the sport of hunting, and the hobby of gun collecting. Bob also enjoyed spending time with his family and dogs Joker and Little One, taking Little One on daily rides on the side by side, and spending time with his grand dogs – Cupcake, Pig, & Bella Flopsy Rainwater Baker CGC TKN.
On June 10, 1972, in Bloomfield, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Janet Henry. Mrs. Rainwater survives of their home in Poplar Bluff, MO.
In addition to his wife Janet, he is survived by his daughter, Carol Rainwater Baker & her husband Clayton Baker, of Poplar Bluff, MO; by two brothers, Jim Rainwater of Centerville, MO and Marvin Rainwater of Bloomfield, MO; and by a sister, Kay Rainwater Lee of York, Pennsylvania, & their spouses Pat, Jean, & Gail.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Larry Rainwater, Garry Rainwater, and Tom Rainwater; and by his sister, Darlene Meloy.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, September 10, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Jerry Moore officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.