R. Bartow Rainey, Sr., 77, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away May 16, 2017. Bartow was born on November 1, 1939 and was raised in Tallahassee, FL. Upon graduating from Leon High School in 1957, he went on to complete undergraduate studies at Florida State University School of Business. While there, he was recognized for having the highest scholastic grade average in the School of Real Estate in 1962. For the next several years following college graduation, he worked and gained experience with Culpepper Construction Company increasing his knowledge for his chosen career as a commercial real estate developer.In 1967 he, along with business partner Howard Nichols, established their own business that would develop, construct and manage various apartment and office complexes, motels, hotels, industrial properties, shopping centers and a cemetery. He served his community in various civic and social organizations including fifteen years in the Tallahassee Rotary Club, the International Gamefish Association, the Billfish Foundation and the Florida Conservation Association.Together with other leaders of Tallahassee, he led the organizational effort to charter the Florida State Bank in 1971. Subsequently, the bank was renamed SunTrust Bank, Northwest Florida. After being chosen by the shareholders for the position of Director, a position he held continuously for 32 years, he provided leadership to form various management teams and motivated them to produce one of Florida's leading banks.As an active sportfishing enthusiast for over 45 years, he won recognition in almost every major billfish tournament in the Southeastern United States and Bahamas and had unselfishly given back to his beloved sport by enthusiastically serving for twenty years on the the Steering Committee for the Bahamas Billfish Championship. He was twice selected by the sportfishing press as one of the "Top 10 Anglers in the World."Bartow is survived by his loving wife Sherry A. Rainey along with his son, R. Bartow Rainey, Jr., and stepson Cliff Rainey and wife Cindy Rainey and stepson Bill Foster. He also had four grandchildren, Wesley Rainey, Ethan Rainey, Mikayla Foster, Luke Foster, and Tori Hickman. He is also survived by his brother, Dennett I. Rainey, Jr. and is predeceased by parents Dennett I. Rainey, Sr. and Helen Parker Rainey.Bartow Rainey was a good citizen, a highly-regarded bank director, loyal friend, loving husband and father. He will always be remembered as a fun loving, outgoing, happy and devoted friend to many.Please join us for a celebration of his life this Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 4pm until 6:30pm at the Capital City Country Club in Tallahassee, FL. (Coat and tie is not allowed!)In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Billfish Foundation or Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, FL.