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Michael Hanks Rayburne
    Michael Hanks Rayburne, 73, died Sunday, June 26, 2016.     He was a graduate of Texas Christian University where he received his commission into the U.S. Air Force. He retired from service as a Colonel after serving his country for 31 years. He and his family were stationed in Texas, Oklahoma, Alaska, Beale AFB  California, and Langley AFB Virginia. He is a command pilot with 863 combat flying hours in the KC-135 and the RC135 in support of the war in Southeast Asia. He is preceeded in death by his parents James and Pauline Rayburne. He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and two sons, Michael H. Rayburne II (Sara) and Christopher Norman Rayburne (Miki). He has seven grandchildren – Kaitlin, Michael, Samantha, Cole, Cassidy, Nicholas and Casey.   A viewing will be at Mayfield-Kaiser Funeral Home 6—8 pm on Thursday and funeral services will be held at University Baptist Church on Friday at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at DFW National Cemetery, 12:30 pm in Grand Prairie. Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return.” ——— Leonardo da Vinci
Condolence Messages

32 Responses

  1. We will miss you, Michael, such a fine, Christian man. You touched our lives in many positive ways over the years. Your strong faith is a great testimony as to the life you lived. It has been our pleasure to call you our friend. M&L

  2. We will miss you, Michael, such a fine, Christian man. You touched our lives in many positive ways over the years. Your strong faith is a great testimony as to the life you lived. It has been our pleasure to call you our friend. M&L

  3. Michael, you have at last found the top of the sky. Clay and I think of you today knowing you are free from pain and flying with the angels. Thank you for so many gifts you openly shared. You will not be forgotten. Ever.

  4. Michael, you have at last found the top of the sky. Clay and I think of you today knowing you are free from pain and flying with the angels. Thank you for so many gifts you openly shared. You will not be forgotten. Ever.

  5. We were blessed to know Mike, Pam, and the Rayburnes since the 70’s. We were in the same SS class and admired Mike’s deep and abiding faith. One of our favorite memories was witnessing his grandchildren come in to hug their Bobo and Grandmother, Pam. You will be missed, but what a legacy of faith and love you leave for your family and friends. We will be praying for God’a peace and comfort for Pam and all the family. Our love and prayers, Bill and Jill

  6. We were blessed to know Mike, Pam, and the Rayburnes since the 70’s. We were in the same SS class and admired Mike’s deep and abiding faith. One of our favorite memories was witnessing his grandchildren come in to hug their Bobo and Grandmother, Pam. You will be missed, but what a legacy of faith and love you leave for your family and friends. We will be praying for God’a peace and comfort for Pam and all the family. Our love and prayers, Bill and Jill

  7. We have been blessed to be in the same SS class with Mike and Pam and witness his deep and abiding faith. Our love and prayers for comfort and peace for Pam and all if the Rayburne family.

  8. We have been blessed to be in the same SS class with Mike and Pam and witness his deep and abiding faith. Our love and prayers for comfort and peace for Pam and all if the Rayburne family.

  9. We have been blessed by knowing you and your family. What a wonderful example of walking in God’s Grace. We have been touched by your courage and service to our Lord, to your family, and to the United States of America.

  10. We have been blessed by knowing you and your family. What a wonderful example of walking in God’s Grace. We have been touched by your courage and service to our Lord, to your family, and to the United States of America.

  11. Alex. & I give our deepest condolences to each one of y’all in this time. We are lifting up each one of y’all to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY IN HEAVEN by wrapping His arms around y’all, comfort and show instruction in which way To follow Him. In JESUS CHRIST HOLY NAME. AMEN…

  12. Alex. & I give our deepest condolences to each one of y’all in this time. We are lifting up each one of y’all to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY IN HEAVEN by wrapping His arms around y’all, comfort and show instruction in which way To follow Him. In JESUS CHRIST HOLY NAME. AMEN…

  13. My husband, Kim, daughter, Evan, and I send love and our sympathy to the family for the loss of a wonderful man. Michael and Pam have been the best in-laws to our niece that any woman could want. Their home was always open and welcoming through happy times and sad ones. When my mother had a stroke and ultimately passed, they were supportive and thoughtful. Michael was too young to leave us and we will sincerely miss him.

  14. My husband, Kim, daughter, Evan, and I send love and our sympathy to the family for the loss of a wonderful man. Michael and Pam have been the best in-laws to our niece that any woman could want. Their home was always open and welcoming through happy times and sad ones. When my mother had a stroke and ultimately passed, they were supportive and thoughtful. Michael was too young to leave us and we will sincerely miss him.

  15. Mike and N8985V have made their final flight from Sycamore Strip airport (K9F9). They have been part of the Sycamore family since June 1997. You were so proud of all your grandchildren and shared you love of aviation with them. I watched Kaitlin, and Cole fly with you. Kaitlin was a natural on the aircraft radio. Also, Kaitlin had her first truck driving experiences sitting on Bobo’s lap leaving K9f9. I can still see Cole helping Bobo push back N8985V into your hangar . Pam and Mike attended many of Sycamore’s Christmas parties. We enjoyed your company. I will miss our weekly chats concerning our flying adventures at K9F9 and how TCU’s teams were doing. I enjoyed doing our flight reviews and I am proud to have your TCU purple ink signature in my pilot logbook. Mike and N8985V made a great flying team. Our thoughts are with your family. Farewell my fellow Air Force officer, pilot and friend. Connie and I will miss you.

  16. Mike and N8985V have made their final flight from Sycamore Strip airport (K9F9). They have been part of the Sycamore family since June 1997. You were so proud of all your grandchildren and shared you love of aviation with them. I watched Kaitlin, and Cole fly with you. Kaitlin was a natural on the aircraft radio. Also, Kaitlin had her first truck driving experiences sitting on Bobo’s lap leaving K9f9. I can still see Cole helping Bobo push back N8985V into your hangar . Pam and Mike attended many of Sycamore’s Christmas parties. We enjoyed your company. I will miss our weekly chats concerning our flying adventures at K9F9 and how TCU’s teams were doing. I enjoyed doing our flight reviews and I am proud to have your TCU purple ink signature in my pilot logbook. Mike and N8985V made a great flying team. Our thoughts are with your family. Farewell my fellow Air Force officer, pilot and friend. Connie and I will miss you.

  17. Gail and I cannot remember a time when we did not have Michael in our lives. Growing up with him, going to school with him, sharing Alvarado as a home base, and later attending class reunions with him are treasured memories. We are grateful for his presence in our life, his commitment to service, his contributions and leadership, but most of all for his steadfast friendship through a lifetime. We count him a blessing, and the memories are bright beacons that cause us to smile.

  18. Gail and I cannot remember a time when we did not have Michael in our lives. Growing up with him, going to school with him, sharing Alvarado as a home base, and later attending class reunions with him are treasured memories. We are grateful for his presence in our life, his commitment to service, his contributions and leadership, but most of all for his steadfast friendship through a lifetime. We count him a blessing, and the memories are bright beacons that cause us to smile.

  19. Most sincere condolences to the family of Michael Hanks Rayburne. May your cherished memories bring you all comfort during this time of sorrow. Your friends in Alvarado are thinking of you with great affection.

  20. Most sincere condolences to the family of Michael Hanks Rayburne. May your cherished memories bring you all comfort during this time of sorrow. Your friends in Alvarado are thinking of you with great affection.

  21. My husband and wish to extend our condolences for the loss of this American hero… Please, in his stead, accept our gratitude for his courage and his service. Blessings.

  22. My husband and wish to extend our condolences for the loss of this American hero… Please, in his stead, accept our gratitude for his courage and his service. Blessings.

  23. Pam and family—I have been blessed to have you known you and Mike and family. I am so sorry for you your deep loss. May your spirits soar when you receive the condolences from all those many friends and lives of those he touched.
    Prayers are with you.
    Debbie
    UBC

  24. Pam and family—I have been blessed to have you known you and Mike and family. I am so sorry for you your deep loss. May your spirits soar when you receive the condolences from all those many friends and lives of those he touched.
    Prayers are with you.
    Debbie
    UBC

  25. Pam, Though we all miss Mike, we know he is relieved of all the mortal worries we have. The world would certainly be a better place if we could all be such Christians as Michael. He has left us a great legacy.

  26. Pam, Though we all miss Mike, we know he is relieved of all the mortal worries we have. The world would certainly be a better place if we could all be such Christians as Michael. He has left us a great legacy.

  27. Pam and family – Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. It was an honor to have sat next to Mike in Sunday School for the last 10 to 15 years. I loved our discussions on religion, politics, and Big 12 football, especially TCU and Texas. What a remarkable Christian man he was with a tremendous faith!! He was an inspiration to me and I will miss him greatly!!

  28. Pam and family – Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. It was an honor to have sat next to Mike in Sunday School for the last 10 to 15 years. I loved our discussions on religion, politics, and Big 12 football, especially TCU and Texas. What a remarkable Christian man he was with a tremendous faith!! He was an inspiration to me and I will miss him greatly!!

  29. I worked for Colonel Rayburn while stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He was one of the finest, outstanding individuals I ever worked for while in the U.S. Air Force. Rest in Peace Sir!

  30. I worked for Colonel Rayburn while stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He was one of the finest, outstanding individuals I ever worked for while in the U.S. Air Force. Rest in Peace Sir!

  31. Pam and family – I’m so sorry for your loss and I apologize for not staying in touch with you all. He was the finest man, officer and friend. He could always see the good in things even when things may have been less than stellar. I greatly enjoyed his political/military discussions at Langley O’club. The world lost a true American hero, husband, father and Grandfather. Belated condolences.

  32. I was just remembering a long time ago in Fort Worth, came up upon this obituary. Mike was my flying instructor on his aircraft N1337Q while I was at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth at the time, and I enjoyed knowing him for the time that I did while I was his student. He was a extremely capable instructor and a wonderful person. It has been many years, but sometimes when I look in the sky, I think of very enjoyable times flying with the Col Rayburn the effect it had on many peoples lives. My sincere condolences to family.

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