Vernon Raines

Vernon Floyd Raines, 82, of Scott City died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

He was born April 2, 1932, in Scott City, son of Jesse Joseph and Hattie Belle Cook Raines. He and Peggy Lorraine Leist were married Oct. 21, 1954, in Scott City. She preceded him in death Aug. 27, 2009.

Vernon was a riverboat captain with Luhr Brothers more than 30 years. He started his career and love affair with the river at the age of 14. He loved the challenges the river presented him and loved to try something that no one else had done on the river or with a tow boat. He was affectionately called "The Mule" by his "bosses" and colleagues at Luhr.

He was always willing to take the call no matter how big the task and he would "get her done." He loved his family and friends and would do anything in the world for them. He also loved to sit and talk with his morning coffee buddies. The congregating place changed over the years but the friendships and stories likely did not. He was a loving, generous man but also demanded perfection from those whom he worked with.

Vernon loved his wife and was proud of his children. He adored and spoiled his two granddaughters. We see his sly grin in the smile of one of his great-grandsons and am sure we will find other traits in them both that he will live on through them.

In his youth he was a paratrooper with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. As war does with many, it left its marks on his soul.

He is survived by a son, Charlie Raines of Baltimore; two daughters, Beverly (Bob) Hess of St. Louis and Mary Beth (Grant) Cagle of Brentwood, California; two granddaughters, Meghan (Jason) Stevens and Eryn Hess; two great-grandsons, Landry and Lincoln Stevens; three brothers, Cleatus Raines of Tucson, Arizona, Jim Raines of Decatur, Indiana, and David Raines of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two sisters, Mary Alice Knecht and Linda Needham of Tucson.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. Oliver Clavin officiating. Burial will be in Lightner Memorial Cemetery, with military honors conducted.

In lieu of flowers, Vernon would want you to take someone to breakfast or for a cup of coffee, or make a donation to the Scott City Food Pantry c/o Dorothy Dees, 900 Scott Ave., Scott City, MO 63780.

Online condolences may be left at amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.