RANKIN, Richard Karl - b. April 17, 1939 - d. February 19, 2010

[patyrn]

Richard Karl Rankin, age 70, a farmer/stockman and resident of Longton, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 19. 2010 at the Kansas Medical Center in Andover, Kansas.  He was born on April 17, 1939 in Elk City, Kansas, the son of Horace Cline "Pony" Rankin and Madge Inez (Crowell) Rankin.

Richard graduated valedictorian from Longton High School in 1956 and received his Bachelors Degree from Pittsburg State University in 1961 and his Masters Degree from Emporia State University in 1970.  On August 4, 1963, Richard was united in marriage to Avanelle Ficklin of Coffeyville, Kansas at the First Baptist Church in Howard, Kansas.  For the next ten year, he farmed and worked as a Social Science teacher for Moline and Longton High Schools, eventually serving as Guidance Counselor for Elk Valley High School.  After leaving the teaching field, Richard took great enjoyment in continuing with his farming and taking care of his cattle.  Richard served on the Longton Elevator and Longton Cemetery boards.  In 1960, he was one of three students from the state of Kansas selected by the International Farm Youth Exchange Program to spend several months in Brazil.  In 1992, Richard was one of five people from a nine-state area and the only Kansan selected by the Rotary Club to be Goodwill Ambassadors to Argentina.

Richard is survived by his wife, Avanelle of Longton, Kansas; two sons, Richard Karl Rankin II and wife Sheila of Warrensburg, Missouri, and Rustin Kent Rankin and wife Jeanne of Fredonia, Kansas; one daughter, Sarah Annette (Rankin) Combellick and husband Preston of Hendersonville, Tennessee; one brother, Roger Rankin and wife Ammie of Longton, Kansas; one sister, Elaine Rankin and husband Carl Schultz of Winfield, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Riley, Maggie, Richard III and Abby Rankin, Reed, Ryan, and Jeannette Rankin, and Dylan and Kaden Combellick; and his faithful canine companion, Bailey Karl Rankin.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Pony and Madge Rankin.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the Elk Valley High School gymnasium in Longton, Kansas with Pastor Dave Sanchez of the Community Christian Church officiating.  Public viewing will be Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Interment will be at the Longton Cemetery.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the Longton Free Fair Association and may be left with the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Zimmerman
Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)