John W. Raintree

Raintree was a simple man with simple needs and simple wants. He loved his kids, he loved Macon County and he loved to write.

He was a private sort of fellow and unassuming. He was what he was.

He had long hair and a beard; and he was cool and laid back. He was a true gentleman.

Raintree enjoyed his quiet life, his quiet friends and his quiet understanding of man's many journeys through life.

He loved the newspaper business and he cherished his friendship with a man named Charlie Gregory, who embarked on his own final journey many years ago. Raintree followed in the footsteps of Gregory. He accepted his destiny with grace and dignity.

Raintree knew that his personal energy was going to be joined to the universal energy; and that it was not going to be easy. He himself was going to eventually be dead hopefully at the speed of light.

He said life is sparkles of light in dark clouds, sparkles of light amidst disease, death and suffering, sparkles of light in a cup of thick and cinnamon holiday cheer. Life is sparkles of light period.

Raintree loved the moonlight, the sound of the whippoorwills, the occasional hooting of an owl and a good cheeseburger. He adored lightening bugs and he liked the feel of the sunshine on his face. He truly did belong to the universe. He knew it was often complicated living and he imagined it would also be complicated dying.

He described himself as just a face in the crowd. You know just an everyday, ordinary person.

Even though Raintree no longer walks the earth his spirit is felt in the gentle breeze, his eyes are seen in the moonlight and the beat of his heart heard in the rustling of the leaves.

The gentle natured Raintree once said, “What do we have if we don't have dreams.”

And as usual Raintree was Raintree, no funeral, no burial. He donated his body to science. Therefore, suddenly one day he simply vanished.

He leaves behind his son, Garwood, his daughter Nell; four grandchildren; along with other family members.

Jim Durham, one time editor of the Macon County Times wrote a column entitled, Life is a Carnival by John W. Raintree.

Jim passed away on Thursday, June 28. He was 71.

Goodbye dear friend.