John Paul Rainwater

John Paul Rainwater, 65, of DeRidder, LA, passed from this life on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

John Paul Rainwater was born June 30, 1956 in DeRidder, LA. His parents were Jesse Lee and May Bell. As a young boy, you would find him and his siblings all hanging out at the park pool for hours on end making friends with anyone present.  The “never meet a stranger” mentality, that started as a young boy, is what made John Paul so special.   In 1984, John Paul married the love of his life, Titiana “Shani” Rainwater. His sons, James, Joshua and Jastin were the apples of his eye.  In the years that followed, you could find John Paul playing catch in the back yard or at any baseball field around cheering them on.  His love for children was evident in his involvement in Dixie Youth, Optimist and BeauCare. He had a heart dedicated to people and service. His service originally started at the City of Deridder water department and later led to the Volunteer Fire Department and the BPSO. His service at the BPSO included a wide range of positions from working the jail, patrol, detective and starting the chase team. After 24 years of dedication, he retired as warden of the BPSO jail. After retirement, you could find John Paul loving the lake life, fishing, reminiscing over old RHS basketball memories, spending time with his grandchildren or being a “Shopping Chaperon” to his wife whom he adored.  John Paul passed from this earthly life November 17, 2021 surrounded by the ones he loved. He leaves a void in our lives and will be missed by all his family and many friends.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of thirty-seven years, Titiana “Shani” Rainwater of DeRidder, LA; sons, James Sanders and Juanita of Dry Creek, LA, Joshua Rainwater and Leslie of DeRidder, LA, Jastin Rainwater and Lindsey of DeRidder, LA; sister, Connie Fee and David of DeRidder, LA; grandchildren, Brayden Sanders, Cheyenne Sanders, Bailey Rainwater, Brooklyn Rainwater, Easton Rainwater and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and May Bell Rainwater; sisters, Hazel Stephens, Norma Jean Davis, Francis Gayle Rainwater.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 20, 2021, also at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Captain Bill Pianki will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Chase Kelly, Brian Budd, Mark Stephens, Jr. Stephens, Chris Stephens, LeRoy Fleder. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brayden Sanders, Bud Lambert. Burial will follow at Cooper Cemetery in Merryville, LA.