VALDOSTA — The man who recently led Georgia’s 10th largest city into metropolitan status has died.

Valdosta Mayor James H. Rainwater, 62, died Sunday at South Georgia Medical Center at about 11:47 a.m., said Crissy Staley, public information officer for the city.

At about 10:43 a.m., a 911 call came from a friend of the mayor who said while they were speaking on the phone, Rainwater complained of chest pains and then the phone was silent. Rainwater had recently completed his daily five-mile walk. Staley said when the police and Emergency Medical Services arrived at the mayor’s home in the 500 block of Georgia Avenue, the mayor was inside and unresponsive. Rainwater was taken to SGMC, where he was pronounced dead.

Staley said the City Council will hold a called meeting this week to address the unexpired term of the mayor.

Rainwater began his civic service as a councilman in 1986 before he took the mayor’s seat two years later. At the time he entered office, the city was at a crossroads with many issues. Under Rainwater’s guidance, the city addressed and solved many problems, from poor quality drinking water to slow growth of industry to the low morale of the city employees and departments. He spoke of these issues in August when he announced his candidacy, with pride of his involvement.

“Today, the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Trend Magazine recognize our city as a City of Ethics and a City of Excell-ence,” he said in a interview in August.

In other accomplishments by the city under his watch, Rainwater listed accreditation of the police department and the fire department’s ranking among the best in the state, a state-of-art water treatment facility, sanitation and street departments that keep the city clean and attractive.

Police Chief Frank Simons said the mayor will be deeply missed. “I have had the pleasure of serving under Mayor Rainwater the last eight years,” Simons said. “Since I was hired as chief of police in 1996, Mayor Rainwater has provided the city leadership and support which allowed the police department to reach its greatest achievements in recent years.”

He owned James H. Rain-water Insurance Co., which has been in business since 1979. He is survived by two daughters, a son-in-law and two grand-children: Jamie Rainwater, Michael and Robin Woodruff, Blake and Jarred Woodruff.

Carson-McLane Funeral Home has not announced arrangements.



To contact Tanya B. O’Berry, call 244-3400, ext. 239.