Wayne Lindy Rainwater passed away from this earth Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Wayne was born June 28, 1927 to Lonita and Emmett Rainwater in Troy, Texas. He led a poor life as most did in those days but had visions of a better life. Farm life was not for him. He excelled in both school and sports and graduated from Calvert High School in May of 1944.

Wayne enrolled in Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX for a short time, but just before he turned 18, he joined the Navy. When he arrived in San Diego, the Navy quickly discovered that he was an excellent typist and he was immediately put in a clerical position. He served two years and was discharged in January 1947.

His stint in the Navy allowed him to attend college on the GI bill. He graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College in May of 1950 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and then in 1959 with a Master of Arts degree. While a student at Sam, he met Neldryn Keeling and they were married in August of 1950 until her death in 1999. He actually was a student worker under her but the roles quickly changed. He managed the textbooks for the college while they were still under a library type system but he quickly changed it to a retail operation. He worked as an employee for the college for many years, then ventured out in the private bookstore business locally as well as in other universities. He loved every part of the bookstore business.

Wayne loved to hunt and fish but his true joy came from working and gifting others with a better life.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Lonita and Emmett Rainwater, wife Neldryn Keeling Rainwater, brothers Rex E. Rainwater and John C. Rainwater and wife Ann Rainwater. He is survived by daughter Dene' Swearingen (Ross), granddaughter Lindy Nikole Howry, great grandsons Thielsen Bradley Howry and Matheson Howry. Ann's daughter Laura Green (Glen) and granddaughter LeeAnn Garcia (Chris).