Dr. Rankin Anderson Clinton Jr.

Rankin Anderson Clinton Jr. Dr. Rankin Anderson Clinton Jr., 84, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2014. Randy was born in Sumrall, Mississippi on August 10th, 1930, the oldest of seven children born to Rankin A. and Lucy Rutledge Clinton. He graduated from Oak Grove High School, Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1948 in a class of twelve students. Randy was married to Margaret Ann McRee of Alexandria, Louisiana on May 11, 1952. They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. He served on active duty in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, from 1950 to 1954. After discharge, he and Ann returned to Hattiesburg where he completed his Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and Physics at the University of Southern Mississippi. He was later awarded a PhD from Southeastern Institute of Technology. Randy and Ann moved to Huntsville in 1956 where he first worked for the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency under the command of MG John B. Medaris and Director of Operations Dr. Werner Von Braun. In this role he designed a special guidance adjunct for the U.S. Explorer I, the free world’s first satellite. In April 1960, he was hired to be the lead technical engineer for the newly formed Technical Intelligence Division of the Army Ordinance Missile Command under the leadership of Carl Duckett. As a key member of “Duckett’s Dozen”, he led a team that confirmed that the Soviets were building nuclear warhead capable facilities in Cuba. This information led directly to the decision by President Kennedy to blockade shipments to Cuba. He would continue to brief the President and senior military leadership throughout the crisis. Upon the formation of the Missile Intelligence Directorate in 1963 he became its Technical Director, then in 1975 its Deputy Director and served in that role until 1983, when he became the first civilian director of the Missile Intelligence Agency. During his tenure, the MIA grew to an organization of over 450 personnel and was widely recognized for excellence throughout the global intelligence community, particularly with regard to missile defense and space technologies. In 1984 he served concurrently as Acting Director of the newly formed Army Intelligence Agency. He retired from federal service in 1985. After retirement, he continued service on the Army Science Board, National Security Agency Scientific Advisory Board, Air Force Science Board, and National Academy of Science, among others. He was the recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, The Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the John B. Medaris Award and the National Defense Industrial Association Wall of Honor. He was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 1988. For over 25 years, Randy led a Sunday School class at First Baptist Church Huntsville, a role he treasured. Randy is survived by his wife, Ann M. Clinton, of Huntsville, sons Michael S. Clinton, MD (Betsy), Birmingham, Rankin A. Clinton III, JD (Cynthia), Franklin, Tennessee, and Daryl Scott Clinton, Huntsville; grandchildren Katherine Clinton Farrar (Clint), Jackson, MS, Abigail Clinton Bohn (David), Crofton, MD, Mathew Blair Clinton, Birmingham, AL, Rebecca Clinton Richardson (Clifford), Alexandria, VA, Joshua Michael Clinton (Kate), Birmingham, Captain Rankin A. Clinton IV, Columbus, OH, William Taylor Clinton, Austin, TX, and Sydney Elizabeth Clinton, Huntsville, AL; six great grandchildren, siblings Joyce Rogers (Robert), Hattiesburg, MS, Carolyn Adams (Roy), Hattiesburg, MS, Commander (Ret) Samuel Clinton (Mamie), Hattiesburg, MS, Jane Clinton (Tom Elliot), Dallas, TX, Jean Clinton Guess (Richard Atkinson), Jackson, MS, and Donald Clinton, Pascagoula, MS, sister-in-law Ethel M. Kelly, Bossier City, LA, and brother-in-law Murlin L. McRee, Huntsville, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents Rankin and Lucy Clinton, Hattiesburg, MS. He played the piano and accordion, was a good shot, a passable fisherman and a lousy golfer. Randy Clinton loved his country, his family and the Lord God. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Monday, September 8th at First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive Southwest, Huntsville, Alabama. Visitation will precede the services in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist from 9-11 AM. Private interment services will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens, Huntsville. www.valhallafunerals.com