James Kenneth Rankin
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James Kenneth Rankin, 78, of Blanchester, passed away Thursday evening, Sept. 17, 2020 at the Clinton Memorial Hospital in Wilmington.
He was born Dec. 12, 1941 in Middletown, the son of the late Harry Kenneth Rankin and Cleta Mae Rankin Dunn.
“Big Jim,” as he was known to many of his friends, was a legend in Clinton County for many of his larger-than-life feats. He was a well-known businessman as owner of the South Shore Marina on Cowan Lake for many years and a professional drywall contractor. When it came to the drywall profession, he was the only man that his family knew in this area who could hang 4x12 sheetrock in an entire home singlehandedly and in record time.
He is also known for his athleticism during high school and many years after. For his high school achievements, he was inducted into the Clinton County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. He continued his love for basketball through independent league play and many high school faculty teams, as they played the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals in fundraising events. He played, coached and sponsored local softball teams, which at one point made their way to the state championship.
As for his family and especially his four sons, he will be remembered for two things. First was the work ethic he taught. He was a disciplined, honest and dependable man of his word. A hard worker would be an understatement, and he taught his boys work integrity.
Second would be his love for Jesus, which began to transform his life in the early ’90s. Through these transformative years, he became a faithful member of the Wilmington Baptist Church. He was faithful to read his Bible and tell others about how he did not deserve the grace of God that changed his life. Anyone who knew “Big Jim” in his later years knew how the Lord had changed his life. He would often say, “I have taken such good care of myself over the years, I don’t understand why my health is so bad.”
His life’s verse was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (KJV).
Surviving are his wife, Terry Rankin of Blanchester, whom he married Dec. 17, 1994; three sons, Jim (Lisa) Rankin, Jr., Rich Rankin and Scott (Mysti) Rankin; seven grandchildren, Bryan, Cassandra, Sara, Salem, Arrow, Julie and Joy; 12 great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Candi Fischer and Mandi Byrom; and his sister, Judy (Jess) Cromer.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Rankin; and a grandson, Braeden Rankin.
Services will be held at Wilmington Baptist Church, 2873 U.S. 68 S., Wilmington, Ohio 45177, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jim Rankin officiating. Interment will follow in the Westboro Cemetery, 500 Jonesboro Rd. 45148.
Friends will be received at the church Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, 6-8 p.m.
If desired, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to the Wilmington Baptist Church.
To sign the online guest book, go to edgingtonfuneralhomes.com.
He was born Dec. 12, 1941 in Middletown, the son of the late Harry Kenneth Rankin and Cleta Mae Rankin Dunn.
“Big Jim,” as he was known to many of his friends, was a legend in Clinton County for many of his larger-than-life feats. He was a well-known businessman as owner of the South Shore Marina on Cowan Lake for many years and a professional drywall contractor. When it came to the drywall profession, he was the only man that his family knew in this area who could hang 4x12 sheetrock in an entire home singlehandedly and in record time.
He is also known for his athleticism during high school and many years after. For his high school achievements, he was inducted into the Clinton County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. He continued his love for basketball through independent league play and many high school faculty teams, as they played the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals in fundraising events. He played, coached and sponsored local softball teams, which at one point made their way to the state championship.
As for his family and especially his four sons, he will be remembered for two things. First was the work ethic he taught. He was a disciplined, honest and dependable man of his word. A hard worker would be an understatement, and he taught his boys work integrity.
Second would be his love for Jesus, which began to transform his life in the early ’90s. Through these transformative years, he became a faithful member of the Wilmington Baptist Church. He was faithful to read his Bible and tell others about how he did not deserve the grace of God that changed his life. Anyone who knew “Big Jim” in his later years knew how the Lord had changed his life. He would often say, “I have taken such good care of myself over the years, I don’t understand why my health is so bad.”
His life’s verse was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (KJV).
Surviving are his wife, Terry Rankin of Blanchester, whom he married Dec. 17, 1994; three sons, Jim (Lisa) Rankin, Jr., Rich Rankin and Scott (Mysti) Rankin; seven grandchildren, Bryan, Cassandra, Sara, Salem, Arrow, Julie and Joy; 12 great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Candi Fischer and Mandi Byrom; and his sister, Judy (Jess) Cromer.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Rankin; and a grandson, Braeden Rankin.
Services will be held at Wilmington Baptist Church, 2873 U.S. 68 S., Wilmington, Ohio 45177, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jim Rankin officiating. Interment will follow in the Westboro Cemetery, 500 Jonesboro Rd. 45148.
Friends will be received at the church Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, 6-8 p.m.
If desired, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to the Wilmington Baptist Church.
To sign the online guest book, go to edgingtonfuneralhomes.com.