Rev. W. Robert Raynes, age 89, of Alliance, died at 12:15 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2011, at Crandall Medical Center.
He was born December 28, 1921, in Roadtown, Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands to a Methodist missionary couple, Rev. Ernest C. and Evelyn F. Raynes. After returning to England, Ernest served numerous parish churches with his family.
Robert served in the Royal Navy during World War II as Wireless Telegrapher 1st Class (radio operator) on Harbour Defense Motor Launch #1192 in Mombasa, Kenya from 1940 to 1946. After the war, he met and married Joan Doreen Smith. He moved to London, where he earned his S.S.C Degree at the Law Society's School of Law. He served for several years as Barrister (defense attorney) while being very active in the Methodist Church as a youth leader. During this time, he felt called by God to enter full time ministry. Due to restrictions in entering the ministry at that time in England, Bob and his family moved to Ohio where he was appointed full-time pastor of Richmond Methodist Church. During his time in Richmond, he attended Oberlin Seminary, where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity Degree (Magna Cum Laude). Since then, he has served Cuyahoga Falls Trinity, Steubenville Calvary, Youngstown Indianola, and Maple Heights United Methodist Churches.
Robert was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church. He was an Elder of the East Ohio Conference, former president of Inner City organizations in Youngstown and Steubenville. He was also a former Captain and Chaplin of the Youngstown/Warren Civil Air Patrol, helped begin the Guardian Angels in Youngstown and was officially an Arc Angel.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Doreen (Smith) Raynes, whom he married September 20, 1947; brother, Peter Gregory Raynes of Surrey, England; two sons, Rev. Philip R. (Allyson) Raynes of Rootstown and Dr. Christopher David Harlow (Laura) Raynes of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren, David (Denise) Raynes, Kathleen (Brandon) Steed, Jeremy Raynes, Paul (Renee) Pilat, Adam (Melinda) Pilat, and Carie Pilat (Amy Young); great grandchildren, Katrina and Brianna Raynes, Joshua Dawson, Megan Hoyt, Brittany, Rachel and Jeremy Pilat; most dear friends, Charles and Martha McClaugherty and their daughters, Helen and Anna, all of Alliance; and numerous friends around the world.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bob recently completed his autobiography ("Gramps"), several short stories and numerous poems.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2011, at the Bennett Chapel at Copeland Oaks with a reception to follow in the Williamsburg Room.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 4682 Douglas Circle, NW, Canton, Oh. 44406 or to the Glaucoma Association, 1400 Gay Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave. S. Union Ave., Alliance, Ohio 44601.
He was born December 28, 1921, in Roadtown, Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands to a Methodist missionary couple, Rev. Ernest C. and Evelyn F. Raynes. After returning to England, Ernest served numerous parish churches with his family.
Robert served in the Royal Navy during World War II as Wireless Telegrapher 1st Class (radio operator) on Harbour Defense Motor Launch #1192 in Mombasa, Kenya from 1940 to 1946. After the war, he met and married Joan Doreen Smith. He moved to London, where he earned his S.S.C Degree at the Law Society's School of Law. He served for several years as Barrister (defense attorney) while being very active in the Methodist Church as a youth leader. During this time, he felt called by God to enter full time ministry. Due to restrictions in entering the ministry at that time in England, Bob and his family moved to Ohio where he was appointed full-time pastor of Richmond Methodist Church. During his time in Richmond, he attended Oberlin Seminary, where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity Degree (Magna Cum Laude). Since then, he has served Cuyahoga Falls Trinity, Steubenville Calvary, Youngstown Indianola, and Maple Heights United Methodist Churches.
Robert was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church. He was an Elder of the East Ohio Conference, former president of Inner City organizations in Youngstown and Steubenville. He was also a former Captain and Chaplin of the Youngstown/Warren Civil Air Patrol, helped begin the Guardian Angels in Youngstown and was officially an Arc Angel.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Doreen (Smith) Raynes, whom he married September 20, 1947; brother, Peter Gregory Raynes of Surrey, England; two sons, Rev. Philip R. (Allyson) Raynes of Rootstown and Dr. Christopher David Harlow (Laura) Raynes of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren, David (Denise) Raynes, Kathleen (Brandon) Steed, Jeremy Raynes, Paul (Renee) Pilat, Adam (Melinda) Pilat, and Carie Pilat (Amy Young); great grandchildren, Katrina and Brianna Raynes, Joshua Dawson, Megan Hoyt, Brittany, Rachel and Jeremy Pilat; most dear friends, Charles and Martha McClaugherty and their daughters, Helen and Anna, all of Alliance; and numerous friends around the world.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bob recently completed his autobiography ("Gramps"), several short stories and numerous poems.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2011, at the Bennett Chapel at Copeland Oaks with a reception to follow in the Williamsburg Room.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 4682 Douglas Circle, NW, Canton, Oh. 44406 or to the Glaucoma Association, 1400 Gay Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave. S. Union Ave., Alliance, Ohio 44601.
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