Sammy Joe 'Sam' Rainwater

Funeral services for Sammy Joe “Sam” Rainwater, 73, of Monroe, will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 11, 2014, in the chapel at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, with Rev. J. Roddy Taylor and Dr. Lynn Malone officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery.Mr. Rainwater died Monday, December 8, 2014, at Glenwood Regional Medical Center. He was born in Magnolia, AR, in 1941, married the love of his life in 1962, and settled in Monroe, LA. He taught in the Ouachita Parish School system for 20 years; and retired from military service after serving for 24 years across three services: Navy, Army National Guard, and U.S. Air Force Reserve. He served as an identification officer at the OPSO for 16 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Chennault Aviation Museum, and spent his last days enjoying every second he could at My Best Friend Pet Cemetery, a business he bought and nurtured for 4 years.Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Debbie Rainwater; children, Patricia Louise Kitchens and husband Bobby Lee of West Tawakoni, TX, William Stacy Rainwater and wife Stephanie Ann of Columbia, MD; grandchildren, Nicholas Dylan Rainwater and Tyler Garrison Hanes; brothers, W.R. “Bill” Rainwater and wife Jenny of Dallas, TX, Art Rainwater and wife Sue of Rocky Branch, LA; aunt, Betty Tettleton of Farmerville, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.Visitation will be 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at the funeral home.Memorials may be made to the Chennault Aviation Museum.Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.comMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington RoadMonroe, LA