Obituary – Carl R. Gaines

Carl Ray Gaines, age 88, of Smyrna, Tenn., passed away the evening of Saturday, August 22, 2026, at TriStar Stonecrest Medical Center. He was the son of Claud Ray Gaines and Cynthia Iona Gaines.

Carl graduated from Licking High School in May 1956. He joined the United States Air Force in July 1956 and married his high school sweetheart, Nina Wenger, in October 1956. After serving in the Air Force, he worked in the Aircraft Industry at McDonnell Aircraft in St Louis, Lockheed Aircraft in Marietta, Georgia, and Avco Manufacturing in Nashville, Tennessee.

Carl is preceded in death by his mother and father; two infant twin sons, Bruce and Bryce; and an infant daughter, Beth. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Nina Gaines; sons, Brad (Christine Porter), and Steven; granddaughters, Ashley Singleton, Cortney Logsdon (Jeremy), Alyson Newman (Devin); great-granddaughters, Savanna Singleton, Hailey and Aubrey Logsdon; great-grandson, Brooks Newman; brother, Barry Gaines; sister, Jeanie Williams(Jack); nephews, Kenny Sanders, Robbie Sanders; nieces Alexis Baxley ( Josh), Sara; great-nephews, Max Zamparelli, Mark; great-nieces Zoe Zamparelli, Clarissa.