Mel Terrance Raynes
Share
The Life of Mel Raynes 1951-2023
Memorial services for Mel Terrance Raynes, 72, Lawrence, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Grace PCA (3312 Calvin Dr. Lawrence, KS). Mel passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023 at The University of Kansas Medical Center.
Mel was born May 7, 1951 in Abbington, VA, the son of George and Anne (Graham) Raynes. He was the eldest of their three sons and daughter.
Mel grew up in Charlotte, NC and after graduating high school attended Central Piedmont Community college.
In 1970, he was drafted into the army, serving as a chaplain’s assistant stationed in Stuttgart, Germany for two years. After returning home to North Carolina he continued in the reserves. Mel enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill with plans on becoming a dentist. He went on to receive his Bachelors of Arts in Biology and Chemistry (earning a 4.0 GPA) from UNC Chapel Hill in 1976.
Mel met his future wife Dorothy Andrae in Chicago that same year. As friends they worked together painting brownstone interiors. After a few years they went their separate ways, remaining friends. Mel came to Emporia, KS and Dorothy to Fort Wayne IN. After a lengthy courtship and many letters exchanged they married on July 13, 1981 in Rome City, IN.
They moved to Lawrence, KS later that year and Mel started Sonship Enterprises, focused on interior/exterior painting, paper hanging, drywall, and floor refinishing. Eventually he began to focus on remodeling and renovation adding window and door replacement.
In 1985 the business became Complete Window and Remodeling Services, Inc. Mel loved his work and took pride in completing jobs to the satisfaction of his customers; many becoming repeat customers over the 42 years he was in business in Lawrence, KS. More than the actual work, Mel loved meeting and talking to people. He loved listening to what the customers wanted done, sharing how he would meet their expectations and ultimately doing just that.
Mel was a devoted husband and father, attending every dance recital or music concert. Cheering his daughters on at every sports event and always offering encouraging words, win or lose. Mel felt it was important to teach “his girls” how to work and instilled a solid work ethic in each of them. Whether doing cleanup, filling nail holes or painting as teens, each had an opportunity to see Dad at work.
Mel was an avid reader of history, biographies and a good mystery now and then. He enjoyed soaking in knowledge through visits to museums, be it art, science or history. During college basketball and pro football seasons Mel was an enthusiastic fan. His commitment to his faith was unwavering, regularly attending worship services, participating in bible studies, and volunteering when possible. He battled voles and leaves in the yard regularly, participated in fundraising golf tournaments, enjoyed board games with the family, taking walks with the dog, and recently spending quality time with his first granddaughter, Brooklyn.
He is preceded in death by both parents and younger brother, Drew Raynes. Survivors include wife Dorothy Raynes, Lawrence KS; his daughters; Rebecca (Griffin) Buffington, St. Louis, MO and Carolyn (Jacob) Beck, Kansas City, MO and granddaughter Brooklyn; sister, Karen Allen, Mount Pleasant, SC, and brother, Mark Raynes, Boiling Springs, SC.
The family suggests memorials in Mel’s name to Habitat for Humanity (https://www.habitat.org/support/honor-memorial-gifts) or Grace PCA’s playground campaign https://onrealm.org/gepc/-/form/give/melraynes and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
We are blessed to have called Mel a friend for over two and a half decades. His early departure to his heavenly home leaves a hole in many of our lives. Hugs and prayers for the family, who will especially feel that loss.
Even know we have not known Mel and Dorothy long we know he was a good man, so friendly and kind hearted. He loved his girls and we know there will be many great memories to share with sweet Brooklyn. So sorry for your loss Raynes family. Mel will be missed.
I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Mel’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him. He was such a kind man. Sending my sincere condolences to the Raynes family.
Mel did a handful of remodeling jobs. He was truly a great person and we knew we could always trust him. He was also fun to have around. We are very saddened to hear of his passing. He’ll be truly missed in the community!
Dear Dorothy, Rebecca and Carolyn,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We have sweet memories of your family and, especially, of Mel’s kindness and love for all of you.
I am in shock to hear this news. Mel did some work on our windows over the summer and he and I had many conversations about our families and especially our grandchildren. He was meticulous with his handy work and he always left the work site clean and tidy. I am so very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
We are heart broken to learn of Mel’s death. He was a kind soul. We areso sorry for your loss.
Mel was a customer of the bank where I worked. He was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known!!! He was always positive and smiled a wonderful smile!!! Heaven gained an amazing soul!!! RIP Melvin!!!
Mel was truly one of the nicest people we have ever met. He valued his honesty and workmanship in installing our windows, and we valued his friendship even more. We send our condolences to his family and friends. He will definitely be missed.
Mel was a real gentleman. I always loved to chat with him, usually at the bank. He was also a true craftsman. Window replacement is a complicated and challenging task, and he was the best. I will miss him. My prayers are for the family.
Mel put new windows in our house a number of years ago–in January. I told him we could wait until spring, but he said they needed to stay busy during the winter as well. I was amazed at how little the temperature in the house changed when they had a window out. Needless to say, we were very happy with his work. He was always kind, as well as professional. I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how much he will be missed by so many.
I knew Mel when he came into Dillon’s @ 6th and Lawrence Ave. He would get a cup of coffee and set at one of the tables and have his lunch. I also learned a lot of stuff from him. He would spend maybe 30 min and eat his lunch and relax. I enjoyed visiting with him when I wasn’t busy. My prayer’s and thoughts are with his family.
Dorothy and girls, what a kind, wonderful husband and father. Our hearts are broken for you. Our love to you all.
Mel always had a smile on his face and his happiness was contagious. Playing golf with him was always fun and his enthusiasm was unparalleled. Carolyn and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom at this difficult time.
We are so sorry to lose Mel. What a pleasant friend he had become to us. His
Commitment to professionalism in his work was exemplary and he made everyone so very happy to be with him.
Our deepest sympathy to all of you at this sad and difficult time.
Don & Alice Ann Johnston
Mel tore down our old carriage house and built a new garage for us back in 2013. He did such a fabulous job!! He even brought the girls over on Thanksgiving day to show them the garage that year. He was a wonderful man and a joy to work with! We hope your memories and all the things you did together will bring you comfort in the years to come. Please accept our sincere sympathy for the loss of this wonderful man.
Dorothy and family; We were so saddened to learn of Mel’s passing. He had installed or replaced two bay windows, replaced 10 windows. installed a new formal front door and side panels, remodeled our basement and several other smaller projects over the past 20-plus years. He was a trusted member of our family. He was a craftsman of unequaled skill. We always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed. Our sincere condolences for your loss.
Dorothy, We were so sorry to hear of Mel’s passing from this life to the next. We’ll be praying for you & the girls as you grieve his loss.
Dorothy, Jim and I are very sorry to hear this sad news. Indeed we were repeat customers, always knowing we could rely on Mel for quality work done with integrity with at times challenging window work. Please accept our most sincere condolences.
Although I haven’t seen my cousin since 1979, I recall that he was a a decent , good and giving individual. He always treated me well as his junior, and always included me in the family activities. I thank him for that. He will be greatly missed. RIP Terry
So sorry to hear of the loss of Mel. I was his dentist for many years. As far as I can remember he never missed his twice yearly visits. Elizabeth our receptionist and I always enjoyed his kind nature and conversations. He did quality window and door work at my residence and business office. Our sincere condolences to his family.
I am so sorry that Mel is gone. I recall his kindness, always greeting me with a smile, and that he adored his family. May God bring you comfort in these days of grief.
Dorothy and family, we are sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father. We always enjoyed our short chats with Mel out on the path when we were out walking, and he was walking your dog. May God’s comfort and peace be with you all.
I’m very sorry to hear of Mel’s passing. He did many jobs for my late husband, Hans, and me over the years. Hans, who was an architect, and Mel also worked together on several projects for other clients. Mel always did an excellent job, hired good people, and was a true diplomat in his dealings with clients and subcontractors. His job was not easy, but he made it look easy. I will miss seeing him in his signature truck around town.
Mel was a good Godly man who I knew as he did extensive remodeling on my old house. He’d share wisdom, smiles, and honesty while always giving my home project the utmost care. Wish there were more people like him in this world. Prayers as you mourn his passing.
Dorothy & family,
Mel was always very kind to me in every interaction we had. Just a few weeks ago, Mel stopped me on his way into his Bible study to thank me specifically for serving the church. I was struck then, as I am now, of how thoughtful Mel was to stop what he was doing to encourage me.
Dear Dorothy and family,
John and I are sorry for your loss – Mel was one of the sweetest, kindest men we have known, and though we moved away from Lawrence and haven’t seen you all since, we have very strong memories of his sunny lovingkindness. May the Lord carry and comfort you through his loss and sustain you in your journey to meet him in the presence of Christ.