Raymond "Jack" Rinn

Raymond "Jack" Rinn was born August 3, 1918 in Sagerton, Texas. He was the eldest son of Elmer and Esther Teichelmann Rinn. He met and married his wife of 70 years, Elsie Katherine Hansen, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lawton, Okla. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps at age 18 and his first assignment was the 1st Balloon SQ in the War Dept Air Corps at Ft. Sill, Okla. Subsequent assignments during his 30 year military career sent him all over the United States, Asia and Europe during WWII and The Korean War. Jack was recognized for his dedication and bravery during WWII and in 1946 was awarded the Bronze Star. He served the majority of war years as a Warrant Officer and retired from active duty as a Master Sergeant from the US Air Force and bought a farm outside of Fayetteville where he and Elsie lived for the past 57 years. He was well known and loved throughout the community of Round Mountain where they lived. He died peacefully on his farm, surrounded by the nature he loved, July 20th, 2012. Jack was an elder at of St. John's Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. He contributed his carpentry and Supervisory skills when the new Lutheran church was built. His love for and commitment to the Lutheran Church, was evident as he lovingly cared for the church grounds every weekend and oversaw all maintenance on the new building. He was proud of his small herd of cows and spent many hours in the hay fields. He was an avid gardener and shared the bounty of his garden with his neighbors and friends. His 60 ft. pine trees and prized daylily field are exceptional examples of his intimate knowledge and love of the natural world. Jack is predeceased by his son John David Rinn, sister Lydia Rinn Stephenson, and Lorraine Rinn Chambers. He is survived by his wife, Elsie Rinn, his brother, Dr. O.A. Rinn, his four daughters, Rae Jene Rinn Dunn and her husband, Dr. James Dunn, Patricia Susan Rinn, Janice Gail Rinn Gavit and her husband, Charles Bradley Gavit and Lisa Marie Rinn Rotenberry, nine grandchildren, Katherine, Eric, Clay, Dawn, Michael, Lindsay, Jessica, Paige and Mitchell and eight great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at visitation on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 5-7 p.m. at Beard's Funeral Chapel. Services will be at St. John's Lutheran Church on Township in Fayetteville at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 25, 2012. Interment will follow at Fayetteville National Cemetery, 700 Government Ave., Fayetteville. A message of condolences may be sent to the family at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.