In Memory

Jerry Don Rankin

Jerry Don Rankin

After graduation Jerry attended college and went into the Air Force.  He had his own business, PTL Sign Company, in Arlington.  A fall from a ladder took him from this life April 8, 1993, and as his grave marker says, he is now "Safe at Home."

Sunday, April 11, 1993    ODESSA AMERICAN
Jerry Rankin
ARLINGTON - Services for Jerry Don Rankin, 42, of Arlington are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Fielder Road Baptist Church.  Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Abilene.

Mr. Rankin died Thursday at Arlington Memorial Hospital.  He was born Nov. 19, 1950, in Abilene. Mr. Rankin graduated from Abilene High School in 1969.  He was a self-employed sign manufacturer and served in the Air Force.  He was a member of Fielder Road Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Rankin of Arlington; his father, Doug Rankin of Abilene; a sister, Paula Campbell of Haskell; his grandparents, Wesley and Mabel Beasley of Odessa; a niece; and a nephew. Moore Funeral Homes of Arlington is in charge of arrangements.

Rick Kinney and Jerry on his wedding day - November 1987

Donna and Jerry Rankin with Crystal Kinney - November 1991



 
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02/03/09 11:25 AM #1    

Betty Robbins (Fowler)

Jerry sat behind me in Sophomore English and we became good friends. I remember his love of the Lord, his grandmother, football, baseball, his '56 Chevy and Rock N Roll. One of the many songs he liked was "A Little Bit of Soul" so I've added that video.







02/13/09 11:22 AM #2    

Richard Kinney

Jerry Don was one of my best friends. He was in my wedding and I was in his first and only wedding in his middle 40's. He taught my 3 girls how to water ski and how to snow ski. We went through the Air Force together. We lived together for awhile in Dallas after graduation, before the Air Force. One time I stole two baby moon hubcaps from a wrecking yard by the highway. Jerry made me take them back and we almost got caught and arrested trying to return them to a wrecking yard. We always laughed about how funny that would have been in jail trying to explain, "But Officer, honest, we were only trying to take them back". We always sang the Rolling Stones song, No Satisfaction, on the way to Midland football games. There was a line, I hope I die before I get old. It came true for Jerry and I still miss him for leaving so soon. Sorry Betty, I know you miss him too, but he had a bronze 57 chevy, named the commode. Did you know that we put a automatic trans in for his dates, and put the 4 speed stick standard in during the week so he could peel out in the parking lot. Ha. Rick

03/16/09 11:15 PM #3    

Richard Kinney

Oh yes Betty, both Sherry Williams and I agreed that the song we most remembered about Jerry was by far Gloria by Van Morrison. So I am posting a link to that here:









06/12/09 09:52 AM #4    

Richard Kinney

This is a story from Becky Lorensen (Armstrong) in Olden:

School Story: Jerry Rankin was a friend of mine and of my sister, Beth, and although I just found out he was deceased, I have fond memories of him. He used to call me every single evening on the telephone. When I answered the phone he would not talk, but instead would play "Give me a ticket for an airplane" and when it was all finished playing, we would talk a while. He was always very polite and I will always remember his very kind ways and his sense of humor. I miss him!

11/11/09 08:48 AM #5    

Barbara Anderson (Gaskins)

Jerry, thank you so so much for serving our country
and keeping me and my family safe. Though you are not here to thank in person, please be sure from the bottom of my heart I sincerely appreciate you. The 69ers miss you and will always keep you in our hearts.

03/02/10 04:40 PM #6    

Richard Kinney

Well, Jerry you missed it again. The big one, the 40th reunion has come and gone. It was a lot of fun and you would have had a blast. The friendships and mini's are continuing. I still miss you and so do my daughters. Crystal got married on Jamaica and I wished you were there with me. You bum, you left us all way to early. You won't believe it but your wife married your cousin. I know, it's crazy. See you later.....

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