Born in Ravenna on June 18, 1940, he was the first of five children. He attended Ravenna Township School, was a Star (Boy) Scout, played trumpet and tuba in school bands and graduated in 1959. His early employers included the L.L. Summer celery farm, Cowan Tree Farm, P. L. Frank Construction Company, and Carlon Products Corporation.
In 1958, at the Ohio Turnpike’s Tiffin River Service Plaza near West Unity, he was captivated by a waitress named Anna Marie Bleikamp. They agreed to write, and ultimately married in Angola, Indiana on September 3rd, 1960. They settled in Ravenna and had a son, Donald, III and two daughters, Tammy and Michelle.
As a family man, Don worked as a Keller (tracing duplicating machine) Operator at C. L. Gougler in Kent, an excavator operator/mechanic at Standard Slag in Shalersville, a helper with Fisher Siding of Shalersville/Ravenna, and then as an independent siding applicator, ultimately founding Rankin Construction and working as a general contractor. He supplementally worked as a Mercury certified mechanic at Tri-Lakes Marine, a teacher at the Maplewood Joint Vocational School, and as an auto mechanic in his home garage.
He devoured military history and ballistics data, but was better known for cracking jokes, laughing, and sharing his many hobbies. As an outdoorsman, these included swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing, camping, archery, target and skeet shooting, hunting, hunting dogs, and the fish and game he harvested. He proudly displayed and demonstrated his collection of traditional hunting rifles, shotguns, air rifles and functional, pioneer style smooth bore pistols and long guns. He dabbled, tinkered, and successfully maintained all kinds of machines and equipment. He loved cars, racing, boat motors, antique tractors and time saving tools. He gardened for many years, enjoyed many good friends, and reveled in crowds, bowling, hosting or attending parties and cookouts, playing golf, lawn, or parlor games, going to concerts or movies, and dining, dancing, touring and traveling.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Anna, parents Esther (Marken) and Donald Rankin, Sr., and brother David Rankin, Sr.
He is survived by children Donald, III (Mary Ann,) Tammy (Bill) Shultz, Michelle (Fred) King, III, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and siblings Robert Rankin, Sr., Virginia (Edward) Skilton, and Norman (Barbara) Rankin.
Calling hours will be held at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 East Main Street in Ravenna, on Thursday, January 11th, from 5 to 7 pm. These will resume at 10 am, Friday, January 12th, with the Funeral Service, officiated by the Reverend Mark Simone, following at 11 am. A graveside service and Don’s interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, Ohio.
To help Don’s family with final expenses, donations may be made by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/donald-j-rankin-jr
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com
(Wood-Kortright-Borkoski 330-296-6436)
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