RAINES, James Leonard "Tobe"

James Leonard “Tobe” Raines, 85, of Prairie City, died Oct. 20. A celebration of life was held Oct. 27 at Driskill Memorial Chapel. Mr. Raines was born June 3, 1927, in Austin, to Walter and Ada (Smythe) Raines. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947, as a Tec 5 cook. On Sept. 20, 1947, he married Laura Lee Swearingen at her parents’ home in Prairie City. He worked as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic, and worked in the woods. He retired in 2005. He enjoyed woodworking, trains, hunting, fishing and camping, and played guitar and banjo. He was a member of the American Legion, the Elks Lodge and the Eagles. He was a good mechanic who could fix almost anything. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Laura of Prairie City; daughters, Diane (Mike) Powell of Pocatello, Idaho, Charlotte (Rob) McCumber of Mt. Vernon and Lenora (Randy) Saul of Prairie City; 14 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Forrest and Willard Raines, and his sister, Norma Parret. Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Mountain Hospice or the American Cancer Society through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. Bluemountaineagle.com 31 Oct 2012