Reuben Andrew Gainey, Sr.

On Sunday, July 17, 2022, Reuben Gainey, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and
uncle passed away peacefully and in his sleep. Reuben was born in Laurinburg, NC, to Joe and Mary Gainey, and grew up in Sanford, NC, attending Sanford Central High. From there he went on to obtain a BA in History from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Southeastern Theological Seminary. After graduating from the seminary he went on to minister to the congregation of the Sharon Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC. for several years.
While still attending Wake Forest in 1961, he started what would be a 36-year career with Nationwide
Insurance, progressing from a night-shift General File Clerk, to several supervisory positions in the
Raleigh, NC office, then making his first of many intercompany transfers to the Butler, PA. Regional
Office. From there he served in the Nationwide Home Office in Columbus, OH., and went on to hold the Vice-President Regional Manager positions for the Gulf States Region in Gainesville, FL, (twice), and the New England States Region in Connecticut. Along the way he served on the boards of the Florida Arts Council, Alachua General Hospital, North Florida Regional Hospital, and AvMed Health Insurance. He then chose an early retirement in 1998 and spent his time enjoying watercolor painting, boating, fishing, telling stories, traveling, and rooting for the Deacons and the Gators.
He is survived by Deborah, his wife of 31 years, his son Andy and his wife Tamela, his daughter Jessica,
granddaughter Katie Olson, his great grandson Hunter Olson, his sister Dot Watson and her husband Fred, step grandchildren Tara Moore and Jennifer Jensen, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary, his sisters Mary Ella Grove and Judy Carson, and step grandson, Jason Jensen.
His great love for his wife, family, and friends, his kindness, his intelligence, and his sense of humor will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. Reuben requested that no services be held, and his
ashes will be scattered, at a later date, in the waters off the island of Martha's Vineyard. For those who
might wish to make a donation, memorial contributions can be made to Marilyn's Legacy at
marilynslegacy.org.
 

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