James Blaine Wines,, Jr Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

J. Blaine Wines Jr. passed away Saturday, June 18, with his family by his side after a short illness. Blaine was born in Ruby Valley, Nevada, on the Wines family ranch on Wines Creek. He was the first born to James B. Wines and Lourinda Rahbeck-Wines, becoming the first of the fourth generation of Wines on the ranch. He received his education through the eighth grade in Ruby Valley and graduated from Elko high school in 1941. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, and served in the 245th infantry-Regiment in the 87th division. He was captured as a P.O.W. during the Battle of the Bulge by the Germans and released at the end of World War II in 1945. After the war he attended Colorado University in Boulder and graduated in 1951 where he met his love Marcia “Joni” McKee. He maintained a strong dedication to the Colorado Buffalos throughout his life. After college he relocated to the Tahoe Basin, becoming a 65-year resident. In February 1952 he married his love “Joni” in Elko, Nevada, and ended up raising six children on Kingsbury Grade in Stateline, Nevada. Blaine was a former member of the Douglas County School Board, Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club, Kerak Shriners, F&A Masons, Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Northeastern Nevada Museum, and Oakland A’s fan club as well as a season ticket holder for numerous years. Blaine was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Joni, his daughter Kelly Wines, his son Shannon Wines, brothers Robert, Calvin, Buster and Gordon Wines. Sister Mary Lou, brother-in-law Charles Armuth and his Uncle Franklin “Speck” Rahbeck. There was never a more dedicated servant to his country, his family heritage, a father to his children and their spouses, a loving grandfather who we called “Papa,” and a man who kept his friends for life. But mainly, he was an avid A’s fan for almost 70 years and was honored with the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at the A’s game in Oakland at 86 years of age. He is survived by his sons JB (Kris), Kevin (Renee), daughters Tacy Willens (Larry), Lindsay Wines (Rob Harland), daughter in-law Peggy, sisters- in-law Kimberly Robb of Placerville, California, Margie and Gwen of Ruby Valley, Nevada. Claudia Wines of Starr Valley, Nevada, and Aunt Pat Martin Rahbeck of Carson Valley, Nevada, 16 grandchildren, five great-grandsons, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family requests any donations go to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (731 VFW Dr. Elko, NV 89801) or The Northeastern Nevada Museum (1515 Idaho St., Elko, NV 89801). There will be a memorial on Thursday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church in South Lake Tahoe. A burial ceremony will be held on July 7 in Elko, Nevada, at 2 p.m. in the Veterans section of the Elko City cemetery with the celebration of life to follow at Machis’ Saloon & Grill.

James Blaine Wines,, Jr

September 3, 1923 - June 18, 2016