Elwood J. Rainwater - Melbourne

Elwood Jennings "Boots" Rainwater, 82, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 22, 2009, surrounded by his devoted family. He was born in Colvin, AL on March 18, 1927 to Almus Jennings and Clara Smith Rainwater. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Mary Etta DeMent.

Boots was a graduate of Holmes Junior College where he was captain of the football team, and Memphis State University where he earned a B.S. in Education. He served his country in the Merchant Marines (joined at age 17 because he was too young to enlist in the army), the U.S. Army, and the U. S. Army Air Corps.

During the Korean conflict he was recalled as a member of the Mississippi National Guard. He began his career as an engineer after taking full advantage of the educational opportunities offered through military service schools.

A man of character, conviction and passions, Boots Rainwater leaves a legacy of devotion to excellence in whatever he attempted and an unsurpassed love of family. His life's work included depression era farm boy, merchant marine, soldier, airman, athlete, coach, corporate manager and director. His passions were a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, music, writing (he wrote a western novel entitled "Caddo"), and providing for his family. His professional career took him from Chicago, IL; Savannah, GA; Mobile, AL; Brevard County, FL; Mannheim, Germany; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Greensboro, NC.

Among his many professional achievements: Worked 17 years at the Kennedy Space Center (Mercury through Apollo programs); was Project Director for Federal Electric Corporation CISS project at KSC; Project Director for Federal Electric Corporation CIP77 project in Mannheim, Germany; Project Director for Federal Electric Corporation LORAN C project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and President of Paul Howard Construction Company, Inc.;( the University of North Carolina Dean E. Smith Center a/k/a the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill was completed under his direction) in Greensboro, NC. Many area residents will remember Boots as a man who could play a bluegrass fiddle with the best of them.

He leaves behind his sweetheart and the love of his life, his wife of 59 years, Flora Elizabeth Rainwater; his beloved children, Clarence Allen (Barbara) Rainwater, David Jennings (Donna) Rainwater, and Cara Elizabeth (Mark) Middleton; and the pride of his golden years, his precious grandchildren, Dyan, Camden, Jeffery, Krista, Evan, Kevin, and Beth; his sister, Agnes Justine Simpson and brother, Harold Smith Rainwater, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Salvation Army in memory of E.J. Rainwater. The family is being served by Brownlie- Maxwell Funeral Home, 1010 E. Palmetto Ave., Melbourne, FL. www.brownliemaxwell.com. Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, September 25, 2009.