George Raney

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

George P. Raney, a respected resident of Ocala, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the age of 96 at the Estelle Hospice House. Born in Woodland, California, he was the son of Thompson Lamar Raney and Priscilla Bartlett Raney. In 1933, the family relocated from California to Florida, settling in the Ocala area on a ranch near Fort McCoy with George and his three older siblings: Thompson Lamar, Jr., Joseph, and Frances.

As a boy, George worked in the forests trapping wild game and selling furs and pelts. Being tall for his age, his father soon enlisted George's help in his early teens to oversee forestry management duties and herd cattle. In a testament to his determination, young George commuted over 20 miles by bicycle each day from Fort McCoy to grade school in Ocala. After graduating from Ocala High School, he proudly joined and served in the United States Navy.

George cherished his time in the Navy and had many wonderful memories and stories to share. He served aboard the USS Norton Sound (AV-11), which was stationed out of Port Hueneme, California. The Norton Sound was an early, crucial platform for missile testing and evaluation.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, George attended aircraft mechanic school in Anacostia, Washington D.C. Following a brief time back home in Florida, he began working for Hawthorne Aviation at Spence Field in Moultrie, Georgia, maintaining military aircraft on the flight line. He later worked briefly for Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia, before permanently moving back to Ocala, Florida.

While in Moultrie, he met and married Mary Nell Arrington. George and Nell remained in Moultrie where their children George Jr. and Donna were born. After moving back to Ocala in 1956, their sons Mike and Mark were born. They remained married until Nell's death in 2016. George was later married to Rebecca Saine until his death in 2025.Shortly after moving back to Ocala in 1956, the following year George, his brother Joseph, and his father established a successful enterprise named Raney & Raney, Inc. dba Raney's Truck Terminal. He continued to operate the business, focusing on truck service and other heavy-duty truck endeavors, until his retirement in 2006.

George Raney is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and his four children and their spouses: George Raney, Jr. (Audra); Donna Nedelisky (Daryl); Mike Raney (Glena); and Mark Raney (Paula). He is also survived by stepsons Kelly Saine, Wesley Saine, and Andy Saine; grandchildren: Christy Cutler, Daniel Raney, David Raney, Paul Nedelisky, Raney Nicole Kozloski, Joshua Nedelisky, Jessica Nedelisky, Mike Raney, Jr., Jordan Raney, Priscilla Raney, Jonathan Raney, Joel Raney, and Kaylee Merians; and twenty-three great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 9:30 AM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34471. A funeral service will immediately follow visitation at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. A private family interment will be held at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala, Florida.

In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to Samaritan's Purse in George's memory:  https://share.google/JI4dgGO5eICt5hqNZ