Mel Terrance Raynes

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.