Francis B. Rainey, III On Friday evening, August 5th, 2022, Francis Barto Rainey, III, loving husband, father and grandfather peacefully passed away at age 89. Francis was born on October 2nd, 1932, in Wauchula, Florida to Francis and Odessa Rainey. He graduated from Buckley High School in Hartford, CT in 1950 and attended Suffield Academy Preparatory School in Suffield, Connecticut prior to graduating from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts in the spring of 1955 with a degree in English Literature. Francis was an outstanding athlete and earned letters in football, basketball and baseball in high school and college. He was chosen by the Hartford Courant as the New England pitcher of the year in 1950 and had an opportunity to sign a professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs out of Buckley High School but he instead chose to pursue an education. Upon graduation, Francis proposed to Maureen Ann Kelly, and they married in October of 1956. Their marriage lasted an amazing 63 years. They raised 3 children, Robin Ann, Scott Francis and Jeffrey James. After receiving a promotional opportunity from the Hartford Insurance Company, they moved to Oklahoma City from Springfield, Massachusetts in 1967. Francis enjoyed a successful insurance career working at the Hartford, Kennedy and Associates, and the Kempton Group finishing his career and retiring in 2000. Francis had a passion for sports. Although he wasnt born in Oklahoma, he was Sooner bred and when he died, he said he wanted to be Sooner dead. He was a prolific little league football and American Legion baseball coach who had a lasting impact on his players to this day. His reputation as a tactician and strategic coach is still talked about many years after his last lineup card was written. He was known for his acerbic wit and sense of humor that rivaled Mark Twains. His joke telling was legendary. For those of us who knew the man intimately, we never saw him in a sour mood. He always looked on the bright side of life and you knew it the first time you met him. He had an infectious and welcoming smile and a kind and compassionate spirit. His friends and the staff at St. Anns retirement center were like a second family to him. He found solace and peace of mind at a major crossroads in his life. He flourished there. His family will be forever grateful for how they embraced him. He is survived by his children, Robin, Scott and Jeff and his grandchildren, Alexis Ian, Savannah Keaton, Francis Payton, and Macie Alexandra. We will miss you Papa and know you are in heaven with Nana where she awaits. There was a motto our father lived by which hangs prominently on his living room wall to this day. It goes like this: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, "WHOOHOO, what a ride!" A family visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11th at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home at 3925 N Asbury Ave, Bethany, OK from 9 AM-7 PM if you would like to come and pay your respects. The family will be on site from 5-7 PM. . Visitation with Family Present Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Thursday, August 11, 2022 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 3925 North Asbury Avenue Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 You may come and pay your respects on Thursday from 9am-7pm at Mercer-Adams