Milton J. Rankin

Milton J. Rankin of Visalia passed away Friday March 23, 2012 in Visalia, at the age of 80. Milton, "Red" to close friends and family, was born October 8, 1931 in Cranford, New Jersey. He was the first born child of James and Edith Rankin. Milton lived in Ft. Worth, TX; San Antonio, TX; Waco, TX; Little Rock, AR; Celle, Germany; Toms River, NJ; Rome, NY; Dover-Foxcroft, ME; Bangor, ME; Willingboro, NJ; and Lake Havasu City, AZ, before coming to Visalia in 1979. He graduated from Cranford High School Class of 1948.

Milton was in the Air Force for 20 years, retiring in 1973 as a Chief Master Sergeant. He was in the Strategic Air Command, and served through the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts stationed in Germany and Thailand while attached to ground radar maintenance. He worked for a short time for RCA and was retired from the 3M company. He enjoyed researching genealogy and working at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints genealogy library for many years. He was a member of The Pilgrim Edward Doty Society and also enjoyed bowling, playing basketball and baseball in his high school years, crossword puzzles, cryptograms, reading, and old westerns. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, cousin, uncle and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Rankin of Visalia; son James Rankin and his wife Jean of Kennedale, TX; three daughters, Janet Garbe and her husband Rich Acosta of Layfayette, CO; Joanne Avery and her husband Mike of Bamboo, WI; Jeanne Rankin of Visalia; a brother John Rankin of Schenectady, NY; four grandchildren, Allyson Gullette and her husband Todd of Frederick, CO; Daniel Garbe of Honolulu, HI; Christopher and Austin Rankin of Kennedale, TX; great-grandson Deegan Gullette of Frederick, CO; eight nieces; 4 nephews; 1 cousin; and many extended family members and friends.