Rainey, Thomas P

1925-2014

Tom Rainey was passionate about his Outdoor Advertising company.  With experience as a Sales Manager at 3M National, Tom would have a large smile at objections from his sales staff. Tom never saw an obstacle that could not be overcome. After purchasing a small bus bench company in Toledo, Ohio, Tom expanded the business into many Michigan cities such as Muskegon, and Grand Rapids. Some of his benches proudly displayed Bunny Bread as one of his larger accounts.  Tom also purchased a small billboard company in Warsaw, Indiana named JELLO. The name was short for Jellinchek and Lockridge the owners. John W. Lockridge, "Bill" would later start another billboard company with Lockridge as the name. That company would also be sold in the 1980's to Tom Rainey. I worked for Lockridge and then continued on working for Tom Rainey under the name PERMA. I mention myself only to show the big heart Tom had. After a long day of construction, I had the stupidity of not checking behind a large sign crane. Backing up, I crushed Tom's new chainsaw. Tom's smile did not greet me that evening upon returning to the shop. We parted ways over that incident. Years later, when I started my own company and was nearly broke financially, Tom called and offered me two billboard structures for free. Tom has always put OOH and those serious about it first. I still have those structures and still thank Tom for being a great man!