Robert Rayburn
Robert Lee Rayburn, 95, of East Brainerd passed away Sunday, December 8, 2019, in a local healthcare facility.
A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Mr. Rayburn was retired owner of Chattanooga Heating & Air after 35 years of service.
He proudly served his country in the US Navy during World War II aboard the USS John C. Butler in the South Pacific. He was recipient of the US Presidential Citation, Republic of Philippines Presidential Citation, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal with two stars, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars.
In 1962 he was instrumental in founding the East Brainerd Youth Athletic Association and also coached youth baseball for 14 years.
He held memberships with the East Ridge Kiwanis Club, East Brainerd Service Association, City Salesman’s Club, and the Downtown Optimist Club.
He was an avid published poet and artist as well as enjoyed playing the guitar and singing.
Mr. Rayburn was a longtime member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Grace Rayburn; three sisters, Mona Blackwell, Ruby Williams, and Opal Allen; and five brothers, Joseph, Walter, Lester, Arnold, and Earl Rayburn.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Virginia (Ginger) Phillips Rayburn; three sons, Robert (Deborah) Rayburn, Thomas (Brenda) Rayburn, all of Ooltewah, and Jeffrey (Sheila) Rayburn, Chattanooga; six grandchildren, Robert P. Rayburn,Jr., Jeffrey L. Rayburn, Jr., Andrew Alexander Rayburn, Bryan L. (Nicki) Rayburn, Laura (Derek) Bartley, and Ginger (Evan) Pierce; seven great-grandchildren, Jack and Tucker Bartley, Derek Bartley, Jr., Camden and Audrey Pierce, Weston and Addison Rayburn; many nieces & nephews.
Services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. in the chapel with Dr. Lanny Johnson and Dr. Courtney Krueger officiating. Burial will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 North Moore Road., Chattanooga, Tn. 37411.
Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences and view the memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.