Lewis Melville Rainey Jr., 99, beloved father, husband, brother and grandfather, passed away on October 21, 2026, in Fort Pierce, FL. He was born in Virginia Beach, VA to Lewis M. Rainey Sr. and Wilhemina Bullock Rainey. He graduated from Oceana High School in Virginia Beach and briefly joined the Coast Guard before creating a career in the Army National Guard, where he ultimately achieved and retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer in the Army National Guard. He later had a second career as a Civil Servant.

Lewis was a family man through and through. As a young man, he helped his mother care for his younger siblings, financially and otherwise. Lewis was also adventurous; family lore tells of how he crashed not one, but two airplanes when he learned to fly as a young man. After some convincing, Rosemary Kernan married Lewis on June 20, 1953. He participated in Little Theater and had a beautiful singing voice. He loved to swim and spent a lot of time at the beach. Lewis and Rosemary raised their children in his hometown of Virginia Beach. Easy-going in nature, his service in the military contributed stability in his life and lent a hand in his parenting style. He was big on rules and structure but also had such a warm and loving heart. His adventurous spirit continued as he led his children in sing-a-longs, taught them to swim and body surf, and took them fishing, crabbing, water-skiing and camping. He had a ready smile for everyone and practically invented the dad joke. Lewis relished the role of “Grandpa,” aka “Papa Lew,” and cherished each grandchild. His favorite way to spend his leisure time was with family, whether at home or on a vacation.

After retirement, Lewis and Rosemary moved to Florida in 1989. He thrived as a retiree. He served on the board in his community in Barefoot Bay; joined the American Legion; took up line dancing, where he earned the nickname “Luscious Lew;” and competed in swimming at the Senior Olympics.

After Rosemary’s death in 2001, Lewis met Greta DeSanctis at their church in Fort Pierce when he accidentally joined a women’s bible study class. His faith became an increasingly important part of his life, and he was baptized. Lewis and Greta married in 2004 in their 70’s and were married for 22 years. They played tennis together, traveled, and provided “Happy Birthday” singing telegrams to each family member.

Lewis was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosemary Rainey; two brothers, Jack Rainey and Albert Rainey; sister, Alice Rainey; and son, Lewis Rainey III. He is survived by his current wife, Greta A. Rainey; his five children, Deb Rainey, Mike Rainey, Mark Rainey, Mary Beth Cullins (Michael) and Bridget Jenkins (Steve); five grandchildren, Jessica Hemley, Clinton Cullins, Jeremy Cullins (Braden), Lindsey Cullins and Matt Rainey; eight great-grandchildren; and his siblings, William Rainey (Rooney) and Louise Rogers. Lewis was also loved by his bonus children, Kathie DeSanctis Moyer, Mark DeSanctis, Ingrid DeSanctis, Matthew DeSanctis and their respective families.

A private family gathering will be held at a future date.