Daniel Thomas Raines, Sr. was born on February 8, 1952, in Sacramento, California, to Henry Thomas and Ernestine Minnie “Dollie” (Hembree) Raines. He passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at his home in Cushing, Oklahoma, at the age of 73.  He attended Republic Missouri Public Schools.  Daniel proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was united in marriage to Paulette Thomas on May 12, 1974, in Watonga, Oklahoma. They made their home in Watonga, where they raised their two children. Paulette preceded him in death on November 4, 2007.  Daniel worked for several companies throughout his life, including David Richardson Trucking, John Thompson, Danlin, Chaparral, and Hoskins’s Trucking. After Paulette’s passing, he relocated to Cushing, Oklahoma, where he shared his life with his partner, Mary Watts.  He was a member of Oasis Church in Watonga. Daniel enjoyed visiting casinos and playing the guitar, especially alongside his brothers. He also loved going on road trips across the United States with his family. Known for his love of flowers, he never missed an opportunity to send them to the people he loved.

Daniel is survived by his partner, Mary Watts of the home in Cushing; two children, Daniel Raines, Jr. and wife Angie of Oklahoma City, and Tasha Clewell and husband Aaron of Watonga; grandchildren, Miles and Rita Clewell of Watonga, Zoie Hardy of North Carolina, and Sophia Raines of New Jersey; one great-granddaughter, Vedea Hardy of North Carolina; two brothers, Chuck Raines and wife Cindy of Yuma, Arizona, and Joe Raines and wife Pam of Mannford, Oklahoma; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Paulette Raines, and siblings Jimmie Raines, Pat Raines Swartz, Sue Raines Uyeda, Ruth Johnson Flood, Carl Johnson, Bud Johnson, May Johnson Harris, John Johnson,

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations to the National League of POW-MIA Families at pow-miafamilies.org. 

A graveside memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:00 pm, at the Watonga IOOF Cemetery in Watonga, Oklahoma, with Rev. Zachary Brack officiating. services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Geary, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).