James Howard "Jim" Rainbolt
Jan 7, 1945 - Dec 30, 2011
Posted by Jo Aguirre

Muskogee Daily Phoenix 
January 3, 2012

He was born on Saturday, January 7, 1945, in Branson, Missouri, to Howard and Dalphna Southard Rainbolt. Jim was one of six children raised by a single mother. He grew up in Branson where he received his education, graduating from Branson High School. After graduation, he hitch-hiked through Arizona and on to California where he did odd jobs, Jim came back to Missouri in 1968. He met, fell in love and later married the love of his life Linda Yandell on Friday, October 24, 1969, in Heavener, Oklahoma. Jim never met a job he couldn’t do. With a pencil, pocketknife, and a tape measure, he could figure out anything. Painter, sign constructor, plumber, builder, car wash designer, mechanic, electrician, heat and air installer-he was undaunted by the challenge. He worked for Bob Cathey in Muskogee for a few years before joining his business partner Bob Copeland, owning and operating their own Heat and Air business. Jim will be remembered as a loyal, devoted, loving family man. He was his son’s best friend, and his daughter was his “Baby Girl”. He was always smiling; nothing made him smile more than his family. He will be deeply missed by all who love and know him.

He was preceded in death by his Mother, Dalphna Ridinger; sister, DeeAnn Rainbolt; Grandmother, Pearl Bennett; Nephew, Jimmy McGrath; Sister-in-law, Pam Yandell.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda of the home; Son, Carman Rainbolt and his wife Laura of Checotah; Daughter, Lesley Rainbolt-Nix and her husband Cody of Big Cabin; Grandsons, Jim & Mason Rainbolt Cayden Nix; Sisters, Billie Rainbolt, Gloria Martin, Patsy Rainbolt; Brother, Bob Rainbolt; Mother-in-law, Lillie Bell Tolbert; Brothers-in-law, Ronnie Yandell and his wife Elaine, Paul Yandell and his wife Helen, Donny “Ace” Yandell; Sister-in-law, Patsy Lyons and her husband Dallas. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, honorary children and a lifetime of friends.

In honoring the life of Jim, in lieu of flowers, memorials are to be made to the Volunteer Services or Plaza Hotel @ Integris Baptist Hospital, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 PM Tuesday, January 3, 2012, in the First Free Will Baptist Church Family Life Center with Reverend Larry Montgomery, officiating.

Private family committal of Jim’s ashes will be held in Greenlawn Cemetery.

You may share online condolences with Jim’s family @www.garrettfamilyfuneralhome.com.

The family of Jim Rainbolt entrusted his care, services, cremation and burial to John & Kim Garrett of Garrett Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service 311 SW 2nd, Checotah, OK 74426. (918)473-2244