Rex K. Rainer, Sr

Rex Kelly Rainer, Sr. of Auburn, Alabama, died Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the age of 86. He was born on July 17, 1924. Dr. Rainer was raised in Fort Deposit, Alabama, and later moved with his family to DeFuniak Springs, Florida where he graduated from Walton County High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Auburn University (then Alabama Polytechnic Institute).

Dr. Rainer moved to Orlando, Florida in 1952 where he founded Rainer and Company, a civil engineering and construction company. He sold the company in 1962 and moved back to Auburn, where he became an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering. He returned to school in 1966, receiving his Ph.D in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He spent many years as the Department Head of Civil Engineering. In 1977, Governor Fob James appointed Dr. Rainer the Director of the Highway Department at the State of Alabama. Shortly thereafter, Governor James appointed him State Finance Director.

After his service to the State, Dr. Rainer returned to Auburn University as Executive Vice President. Later he became the Director of the Small Business Incubator at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He retired in 1986. A man of many talents, Rex Rainer found great satisfaction in the many students he taught and mentored, many of whom he remained in contact for the rest of his life.

Dr. Rainer was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Betty Ann Page Rainer. He is survived by two loving sons, Rex Kelly Rainer, Jr. (Lynda) and John Kenyon Rainer, Sr. (Sherri) of Auburn. His four grandchildren include Rex Kelly Rainer III (Katie) of Auburn; Laura Rainer Layne (Rob) and John Kenyon Rainer (Brynna) of Atlanta; Kelly Katherine Rainer of Columbus, GA; and one step-granddaughter, Victoria Jenkins of Auburn. He also has three great-grandchildren, Auden Rainer of Auburn, and Page and Joy Layne of Atlanta.



A private family Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. in Jerry Evans Funeral Home Chapel of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, with Sherri Rainer officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. Rex Kelly Rainer Sr. Endowment for Scholarships, the Department Of Civil Engineering, Samuel Ginn College Of Engineering at Auburn University.