John Barrow Rayburn
June 9, 1977 ~ September 28, 2018
John Barrow Rayburn passed away peacefully at the age of 41 at home in Vienna, Virginia, on
Friday, September 28, 2018, after a brave four-year battle with multiple myeloma. He spent his
life giving love and surrounded by love. His last days were spent in the comfort of his family and
home.
John was born in Leesburg, VA on June 9, 1977, to Edward Barrow Rayburn and Susan Brand
Rayburn, and spent his youth living in northern Virginia, Newfield and Scio, NY, and Bruceton
Mills, WV. He married his eternal companion, Samantha Jean Underwood, in the Washington
DC temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on May 21, 1999.
He was a student at Scio Central School in Scio, NY and graduated from University High School
in Morgantown WV. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America. John was an
attendee of Governor’s Honors Academy in West Virginia. As a Presidential Scholar, he
obtained two Bachelor’s degrees in the Honors Program from West Virginia University, in
Computer Science and Spanish. He worked for several years as a programmer for Threewide
Corporation in Morgantown WV before graduating from the WVU School of Law, where he
attended on full scholarship. He interned and then was employed as a lawyer at Sullivan &
Cromwell in New York City and then Washington DC. His final employment was at Capital One
in McLean, VA.
John was an avid woodworker, completing many projects that grace his and Samantha’s home,
often with the help of his wife and his children. He enjoyed playing soccer in the position of
goalie. As member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in the
Honduras Tegucigalpa mission for two years between his freshman and sophomore years in
college.
John is survived by his loving wife, Samantha Jean Underwood Rayburn, and their six children -
Sarah Kaymary, Ephraim Barrow, Gideon Samuel, Lauragrace Susan, Sadie Lee, and John
Walker. He is also survived by his parents, Edward Barrow Rayburn and Susan Brand Rayburn,
and his siblings - his brother, James Harvey Rayburn, and sisters, Lisa Marie Rayburn and
Laura Ann Rayburn. He also leaves behind his faithful canine companion, Charm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in
John’s name (tribute.themmrf.org/JohnBRayburn).
There will be no viewing - the funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, Scott’s Run Chapel, 1325 Scott’s Run Rd., McLean, VA 22102. All are invited
to celebrate John’s life with us at 2 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. An open house will
follow at John and Samantha’s residence at 8603 Antioch Circle, Vienna VA, to share stories,
memories, and pie in remembrance of John and his life.
Friday, September 28, 2018, after a brave four-year battle with multiple myeloma. He spent his
life giving love and surrounded by love. His last days were spent in the comfort of his family and
home.
John was born in Leesburg, VA on June 9, 1977, to Edward Barrow Rayburn and Susan Brand
Rayburn, and spent his youth living in northern Virginia, Newfield and Scio, NY, and Bruceton
Mills, WV. He married his eternal companion, Samantha Jean Underwood, in the Washington
DC temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on May 21, 1999.
He was a student at Scio Central School in Scio, NY and graduated from University High School
in Morgantown WV. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America. John was an
attendee of Governor’s Honors Academy in West Virginia. As a Presidential Scholar, he
obtained two Bachelor’s degrees in the Honors Program from West Virginia University, in
Computer Science and Spanish. He worked for several years as a programmer for Threewide
Corporation in Morgantown WV before graduating from the WVU School of Law, where he
attended on full scholarship. He interned and then was employed as a lawyer at Sullivan &
Cromwell in New York City and then Washington DC. His final employment was at Capital One
in McLean, VA.
John was an avid woodworker, completing many projects that grace his and Samantha’s home,
often with the help of his wife and his children. He enjoyed playing soccer in the position of
goalie. As member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in the
Honduras Tegucigalpa mission for two years between his freshman and sophomore years in
college.
John is survived by his loving wife, Samantha Jean Underwood Rayburn, and their six children -
Sarah Kaymary, Ephraim Barrow, Gideon Samuel, Lauragrace Susan, Sadie Lee, and John
Walker. He is also survived by his parents, Edward Barrow Rayburn and Susan Brand Rayburn,
and his siblings - his brother, James Harvey Rayburn, and sisters, Lisa Marie Rayburn and
Laura Ann Rayburn. He also leaves behind his faithful canine companion, Charm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in
John’s name (tribute.themmrf.org/JohnBRayburn).
There will be no viewing - the funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, Scott’s Run Chapel, 1325 Scott’s Run Rd., McLean, VA 22102. All are invited
to celebrate John’s life with us at 2 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. An open house will
follow at John and Samantha’s residence at 8603 Antioch Circle, Vienna VA, to share stories,
memories, and pie in remembrance of John and his life.
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I’m so sorry for your recent loss. My deepest condolences to your family. Death of a loved one is never easy to endure, but you don’t have to go through it alone. You can always find comfort in our God of tender mercy Jehovah, as found at 2 Corinthians 1:3,4.
My thoughts and prayers and are with you . I know you and your family’s strong faith in Jesus Christ will be your comfort during this difficult time. Joy Jones
My condolences for your loss four years ago. I am sure that your family is significantly more stressed, anxious, and the percentage in therapy has gone up incredibly. I wish you and your mental health happy days. Please don’t lose hope, and the dreams where he is still alive, are normal despite being very weird. Love, me.