Clyde f. Rainwater Jr.

Clyde Franklin Rainwater, Jr. passed away peacefully on August 25, 2022, at the age of ninety-six.

Clyde was born in Burbank, California on April 23, 1926, to Clyde Franklin Rainwater Sr, and Lottie Robinson. His older siblings Ruby and Jack preceded him in death. 

Following high school Clyde and his good friend Cecil Hector went to enlist in the Navy. Cecil got in, but Clyde’s application was turned down because he was colorblind. So, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines. He was stationed on Catalina Island where he attended cooking school and became the cook on ships. He learned a lot about cooking and found a real love for it that carried through his life. 

After the war, Clyde returned home and married Virginia Radcliffe. They made their home in San Francisco and Clyde worked at Fisherman’s Grotto #9. They remained in California but moved to the San Fernando Valley and opened a supper club in Toluca Lake called the Money Tree. It was blocks from the big movie studios, enabling him to meet many actors and entertainers. Later, he sold the Money Tree and opened a night club in Encino called the Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras was a place everyone went to dance. Therefore, Clyde watched many bands perform in hopes of hiring them for his supper club.  One such band was the Rolling Stones, but Clyde did not like their music!

Clyde led a very interesting and colorful life.  Everyone loved to spend time with him. He was always the life of the party, and the stories he told!  We especially loved the one about how he won a monkey in a card game!  Another was when a friend of his, Jim Hansen, showed him his new idea for a TV show with puppets. In a few “choice” words Clyde told him what he thought of his idea, only to regret those words when the Muppet Show became a huge success!  His landlord at the Money Tree was Moe with the Three Stooges.  His son Tom was in awe when he met Moe and he gave him a box of chocolates.

His next adventure began when his nightclub burned down, he got a divorce, and then moved to Redondo Beach.  There he opened the Pacific National Construction Company, which he ran until his retirement in 1994.

Clyde met the love of his life, Cathy Thompson, in Redondo Beach when they were set-up on a blind date. Once they met in 1981, there was no going back.  They were together for forty-one fun-filled and wonderful years.  They made it official and married on New Year’s Eve, 2000.  

Cathy and Clyde kept their cabin cruiser in the Redondo Beach Marina where they often went out with friends to fish or visit Catalina Island.  Fishing was a favorite past time, along with traveling, dancing, playing cards and spending time with their many friends. 

In 1988 they decided to build a home in Loreto Mexico where they spend many idyllic days fishing with friends and family. The memories we have of our time spent in Mexico will never be forgotten.  

Clyde leaves behind a son, Thomas Franklin Rainwater (Suzanne) Stansbury Park, Utah; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; Tiffany Rainwater (Jed Matthews), Marlee/12 and Cooper/9, Salt Lake City, Utah, Joe Rainwater (Lindsey), Maelyn/16 and Ava/12, Stansbury Park, Utah, Jonathan Rainwater (Giuliana) Berlin Germany and stepson Bruce Ghent, San Francisco, California.

Cathy and Clyde left the beautiful ocean in Redondo Beach in May 2017 to be closer to family. They chose Legacy Village in Sugarhouse as their home. They were among the first people to move into the building, and since have made many friends. We know Clyde will be remembered by all.

A celebration of Clyde’s life will be on Tuesday, October, 4th, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm or times at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to park on the north side of the building.

A special thank you to Cathy who loved and cared for her “Cuddle Bug” from the moment she met him until his last breath.  But we know he is watching over her now.  Clyde will be missed by many but will remain in our hearts forever.  

Clyde, may you play gin rummy in heaven until we see you again for a rematch!