LARRY RAINWATER

Larry James Rainwater, 77, of Cottonwood, ID, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2018, of natural causes. Larry was born February 23, 1941, in Hanford, CA, to Ora James Rainwater and Martha “Marie” BlankenshipRainwater. The family moved to Coalinga, CA in 1943 and made their home there. Larry had two siblings, Shirlei and Michael with whom he maintained close relationships over the years. Larry attended grade school through high school in Coalinga and joined the U.S. Navy as an Airman at the young age of 17 after completing his junior year. Larry always enjoyed returning home for visits. He loved to tour the town and neighborhoods reminiscing about his childhood and his many friends whom he’d never forgotten, easily recalling names and telling stories of his adventures with those friends. Larry lived the majority of his adult life in Las Vegas, where he worked as a foreman in the lumber industry for nearly 40 years, starting his career with O’neil Lumber, moving on to Pacific Supply, Cimarron Lumber & Supply and finally Cal Ply where he worked until his retirement at age 69. Prior to that, Larry attended Barber College in Bakersfield, CA and learned to cut hair. Cutting hair came naturally to Larry and though he never made a career of it, he continued cutting hair well into his retirement years for friends and family. He enjoyed playing, watching and coaching sports of all kinds but had a special passion for coaching women’s softball and loved the competitive nature of the tournaments. Larry was preceded in death by his father; mother; and his brother-in-law, Garland Pike. Larry is survived by eight children, son, Kelly and Karen Hoff, daughter, Kim and Jerry Coppernoll, daughter, Wendy and Bud Woods, son, Larry and Christina Rainwater, son, Scott and Stacy Byers, daughter, Stacy Rainwater, son, Michael Rainwater and son, James Rainwater; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Shirlei Pike; brother, Michael and Linda Rainwater; and countless extended family and friends. Services will be at 10 a. m., Fri., May 24, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Coalinga, CA. Pastor Mike Markley officiating.