Alexander "Alex" Nichols Rainer

Alexander “Alex” Nichols Rainer, 37, was tragically taken from this life on April 9, 2026.

Alex was born on May 3, 1988 in Memphis, TN. He was the second son of Melissa “Missy” Nichols Rainer and James “Jim” Connell Rainer IV. He was raised in Memphis, attended Presbyterian Day School, and graduated from Memphis University School in 2006.

Alex’s love of adventure started early with summers spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and winters spent in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Following high school, he attended the University of Colorado Boulder and graduated from the University of Memphis.

Though he began his career in sales at Aerobic Cruisers and Fleet Feet in Memphis, his love of the mountains called him back to Denver, CO. He transitioned to a position at Signpost where he formed relationships that would forever change his life, the most notable being his wife, Grace. After leading Signpost teams in Denver and Austin, his career continued at monday.com. Alex had just begun a new role with HubSpot in April.

Every person who met Alex knew the same version of him. While you were with him, you felt like you were the best version of yourself – like what you were doing was the most interesting, funny, or exciting thing that you could possibly be doing. Even in a room of hand-picked friends, he made you feel seen.

Alex loved the camaraderie of friendly competition. An avid supporter of Liverpool Football Club, he never missed a game and twice visited the UK to attend matches at Anfield. He believed that life was best lived at full speed and reflected often on time well spent with loved ones. When Alex set his mind on something, it was destined to be. He had the creativity to squeeze fun out of any situation and the tenacity to make the wildest plans come to life. You would ride in the passenger seat of your own car every time, just to be riding with Alex.

Alex will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, and leader who had the most magnetic presence in any room. He was quick to offer his help to a friend in need in any way.

His memory lives on through his beloved wife of five years, Grace Elizabeth Rainer; his three-year-old daughter, Harriet “Hattie” Lawrence Rainer; and his nine-month-old son, Grady Nichols Rainer.

He is also survived by his parents; siblings, James “Jimbo” Connell Rainer V (Faye Kenner Rainer), Peter Lloyd Rainer, Lawrence Wilkinson “Wil” Rainer, and Daisye Gardner Rainer (fiance James Raymond Melia); niece Ruth “Ruthie” Ellen Rainer; nephews James Connell Rainer VI and William Lawrence Rainer; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; his mother- and father-in-law Patricia Elizabeth Ciolfi and Lawrence John Ciolfi; sister-in-law Sarah Elizabeth Ciolfi; and brother-in-law Christopher Richard Ciolfi.

A memorial service will be held in Memphis at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honor Alex’s legacy can make a contribution to his children’s college funds, held at Raymond James in Memphis, by contacting John Hammons at john.hammons3@raymondjames.com.