Obituary of Franklin (Frank) Vern Rains

Shelton native, Frank Rains, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the age of 84. Frank was born in 1934 to Carl and Gertrude (Husk) Rains in Shelton. He lived at Lake Isabella and attended the Old Lincoln School before he moved to the Arcadia area, and attended Southside Elementary School. He graduated from Irene S. Reed in 1952. In June of 1956, Frank met Marie (Eickhoff) at a dance in Olympia, and they were married that December. He was called to serve in the US Army from 1957-1959, attending Aviation Maintenance School at Fort Rucker, AL. He fondly remembers working on the de Havilland Beaver aircraft. He continued in the Shelton National Guard until 1962. Frank and Marie purchased property next to his parents on Hammersley Inlet, and built their home where they raised two daughters, Valerie and Karen. The day after high school graduation, he went to work for Shelton Towing Company as deck hand on the tug, Skookum Logger. Then he worked a few years for Rayonier Inc., where his father worked also. Frank then pursued a career in law enforcement, working 25 years for the City of Shelton, 19 years as their Chief of Police. After his retirement in 1985, at the age of 50, he and Marie operated a trenching and backhoe business for a short time before becoming caregivers for their parents for many years. While his daughters attended school, he served on the Southside School Board. He was a charter member of the Kristmas Town Kiwanis Club, always sharing memories of the fun times using the wood-splitter to meet their fundraising goals, selling wood in the community. He also volunteered for The Salvation Army, 4-H Youth and the Forest Festival Assoc. Frank and Marie hosted many law enforcement picnics, reunions, and family gatherings, usually full of games and fun water shenanigans at their home. As a younger man, he raced cars and motorcycles for fun and learned to work on all kinds of engines. Diesel engines were his favorite and he would spend hours working on his family’s vehicles. He loved to play golf and was a member of the men’s club at Lake Limerick Country Club. Golf tournaments played locally and all over the region with friends and family were a big highlight for Frank. He also enjoyed deer and elk hunting, fishing, boating, and was never happier than when he was clam digging…especially geoducks! They traveled in their RVs to Ocean Shores, Montana, California and Arizona. He often recalled his favorite family vacation was a boating trip to the San Juan Islands. They also traveled to England, Scotland and later to Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary. Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Marie, his parents, his brothers Carl J. Rains and Robert S. Rains, baby daughter Evelyn, daughter Valerie (Rains)VanCleve and baby granddaughter Tenley Jo Garrison. He is survived by his daughter Karen Garrison (Chris) of Ridgefield, WA, grandsons Ian Horn (Carol) of Shelton and Nathan VanCleve (Alyssa) of Lynnwood, WA, granddaughters Tatum and Maylyn Garrison of Ridgefield, WA, great grandson Zhane Shirey and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would especially like to thank the caregiving staff of The Quarry Senior Living of Vancouver, Lean On Me At Home Care of Shelton, Fire District #4, many private and family caregivers, and Peace Health Hospice who cared respectfully for Frank. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 1pm at the Mason County Fire Station #4, 2970 SE Arcadia Rd., Shelton, WA 98584. Memorials are suggested to your favorite charity.