It is with great sadness Jimmy Jeral Rains, aka "Poppi," of New Braunfels passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025, at the age of 82. Jeral was born on February 6, 1943, in Parsons, Tennessee, to Iris Geraldine (Kennedy) and James Lavern Rains.

Jeral's family moved to Pasadena, Texas, where he spent most of his younger life before moving to Seguin to attend Texas Lutheran College in 1961 to play football. He also joined the Army National Guard and spent his training days in Tacoma, Washington. He began his long career at SMI – Texas in 1964 and was part of the company's semi-pro baseball team, the SMI Steelers. At SMI – Texas he found his calling in rolling mill operations and gained a reputation as one of the finest rolling mill professionals in the world.

Throughout his 50 years with the company, Jeral also worked at SMI Steel - South Carolina as Vice President/Works Manager and SMI Steel - Alabama as EVP Operations/Works Manager. He was asked to return to Texas in 2005 as Rolling Mill Technical Advisor for the CMC Steel Group where he assisted other mills including SMI Steel - Arkansas and CMC – HZ Poland while performing his other duties.

During his lifetime, Jeral enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and summer trips to Port Aransas.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father and brother, James "Rusty" Rains.

He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Karen (Rieger) Rains, daughter Monica (Rains) and husband Melvin Pipes, and son Travis and wife Crystal Engelke. He has three grandchildren – Presley Engelke and fiancé Kyle Kolbe, Jaden Pipes and Ashlyn Pipes as well as sister-in-law, Kathy (Dittmar) Rains and niece, Kelly (Rains) and husband Randy Fluker and other family members and many friends.

Graveside services and interment will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.  A Celebration of Life Service will follow at the Elks Lodge in Seguin at 2 p.m. with remarks at 3 p.m.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, their memory lives forever in your heart"

Memorial contributions may be made to the Guadalupe County Humane Society, P. O. Box 1593, Seguin, Texas, 78155.