James 'Jim' Jim Rayner

August 31, 1944 - May 15, 2015

Rest in Peace

(courtesty of Brothers Mortuary)

Jim answered the Lord’s call on May 15, 2015. In his home, surrounds by loved ones.

Born August 31, 1944 in Portland, OR to James S. and June (Livesay) Rayner. The family moved to Yakima when he was 7 years old. Later he attended Davis High School and Perry Technical Institute. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Donald Rayner and Thomas Rayner.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Karen Rayner; brother Steve Rayner of Yakima, WA; son Brain (Mara) Rayner of Great Falls, MT; daughter Tammy Rayner of Hamilton, MT; step-daughter Stefanie Barth of Everett, WA; four grandsons, Brady and Skyler Metherd of Yakima, WA; and Ben and Kaleb Rayner, of Great Falls, MT; and his brother and sister at heart, Virgil and Nadeen Boyle of Harrah, WA. Along with extended family and friends, plus his little buddies Bandit and Cinnamon.

He owned/operated Rayner Import Repair in Yakima and in Montana for over 40 years, where he specialized in German and European cars. In September 2013, Jim was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia which is caused by exposure to benzene products such as gas, diesel, solvent and other chemicals.

As a member of the Yakima Rifle League, he shot .22 competition target rifle for Tieton Rifle Club. He also was an instructor for Tieton Jr. Rifle League. Jim earned his Distinguished Metal with iron sites and won two gold medals at the 1989 Washington State Centennial Summer Games.

He and Karen moved to Montana in 1997. His fondest memories include spending time with friends and family; going to the ocean; fishing the Cowlitz and Klickitat Rivers; going fishing in Alaska and Canada; visiting Hawaii; back-packing through Germany; and spending winters in Arizona and visiting Mexico.

He loved the outdoors and spent time fishing, jeeping, gardening, camping, rock collecting, sapphire digging, berry picking, and barbequing for family and friends. While living in Montana, he became an accomplished flintknapper (maker of stone knives, tools and arrowheads) and did intricate inlayed woodworking. Jim and Karen’s arts and crafts are known by their “Knapping Under the Big Sky” logo. Thank you to all who have supported our work. As an active members of Puget Sound Knappers, they made many good friends and have enjoyed breaking rock at knapins. Jim always said “I can fix anything, but a broken heart.” That statement has never felt truer. He is loved and will be deeply missed. A special thank you to our family, friends, and the healthcare professionals whose kindness and caring were such a blessing. Donations can be made in his honor to the Tieton Junior Rifle Club, c/o Robin Simmons, 1640 Clemans Dr., Naches, WA 98937 or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please consider being on the bone marrow donor registration and/or giving blood so that others may live. At Jim’s request, there will be no service.

From Jim Keffer

He was a gracious and generous man and all those who knew Jim will miss him dearly. I owe Jim a particular debt of gratitude. Jim was diagnosed with leukemia just a day after my September Knap-in, which he had attended. Given just a 20% chance and only 6 weeks, Jim nevertheless fought on. He started chemo and he started to improve. About 5 weeks after he was diagnosed he called to tell me to warn my 23 year old son about the dangers of benzene - the precursor to his form of leukemia (and an ingredient in all gasoline and diesel fuels). See, Jim had been an auto mechanic, in fact he owned his own extremely successful Mercedes repair shop. While at my knap-in Jim met my youngest son who had just completed technical college in automotive technology and had just taken a job as a technician for a local Volvo Dealer. Jim and my son talked shop for several hours, becoming instant friends. Jim wanted to make sure, before he passed away, that my son was aware of the dangers of benzene exposure. With all Jim had on his plate during those trying times he still put his concern for others right up front as things he needed to get done.

I spoke with Jim several times over the next 12 months. The next most memorable conversation came last March while I was at Glass Buttes. Jim called to see how the Knap-in was going and asked me to tell everyone hello. He said the last few months were a true blessing, he was able to spend one more Thanksgiving with his family, one more Christmas and New Years Day with his wife and grown children and even managed to make it to his 20th wedding anniversary!

I will miss Jim Rayner. May he Rest in Peace

Caught several Pink Salmmon at the annual Ft Knapapdonia Knap-in 2013