Thomas A. Rainbolt, DDS

The funeral service for Thomas A. Rainbolt of Lawrence, Kansas, will be held Thursday, May 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Rosary will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, also at Corpus Christi; visitation will follow until 7:30 p.m. A private burial will be at a later time. Tom passed away unexpectedly at his home on April 29, 2017.
Tom was born December 3, 1964 in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of Harry and Rosella Rainbolt. He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1983. Tom attended Doane University in Crete, Nebraska on a football scholarship, Kansas State University in Manhattan, and the University of Kansas in Lawrence. He received a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska in 1991. Tom completed his advanced education in General Dentistry Residency at Fort Riley in 1992, and served in the United States Army Dental Corps in Hohenfels, Germany for two years.
Upon returning to the United States in 1994, Tom joined the dental practice of Dr. John Wulfkuhle in Lawrence, eventually buying the practice of Drs. Wulfkuhle and Rainbolt. Since 2005, he has owned and practiced at Cascade Dental Care.
Tom was a member of the American Dental Association and the Lawrence Country Club, as well as Vice President of the Oread Office Park Owners Association. An intrepid adventurer from an early age, his favorite activities included golf, big­game hunting, snow skiing, world­wide traveling, and spending quality time with friends. Tom also was a licensed private pilot.
Those who knew Tom fondly remember his playfulness, positive upbeat attitude, big heart, generosity toward others, love of life and ability to live it fully, and voracious reading appetite.
Above all, Tom was a proud and loving father, faithful son, revered brother, and reliable friend. He is survived by his two daughters, Natalie Nicole Rainbolt and Kari Ann Rainbolt, both of Lawrence, his parents Harry and Rosella Rainbolt, Lawrence, a brother Michael Harrison Rainbolt of Plano, Texas, and a sister Kathryn Anne Rainbolt and nephew Matthew Harrison “Harry” Rainbolt, both of Lawrence. Tom was formerly married to Deborah Oehme Rainbolt, Lawrence. Close friend Megan Wilson also survives.
He will be greatly missed by all who know and love him.
The family suggests memorials be made to First Downs for Down Syndrome (www.fdfds.org), the Douglas County Dental Clinic (www.dcdclinic.org), and The First Tee youth development organization (https://thefirsttee.org) or may be sent in care of Warren­McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.