Robert R Rankin

Robert Ray “Bob” “Big Red” Rankin passed away due to pulmonary embolism on July 22, 2020 at the age of 82. He was born on November 19, 1937 at Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio Texas. As a child and teen, he enjoyed farm life as he tended to the cows each morning before school. Bob graduated from East Central High before joining the Navy from 1958 to 1963. After meeting and marrying the love of his life Anna Mary Miller in 1961 the couple settled in Carson, California where they raised their family and were long-time residents. Robert attained a Masters Degree in Art at California University at Long Beach while also working for Allied Chemical / Honeywell. Through his work Robert became involved in the Union that led to years working with the California Democratic Party and later SOAR - Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees. He was several times elected to the DNC - Democratic National Committee, where he wrote policies & drafted laws to make life better for hard working men & women. He was chosen on several occasions to be a California Superdelegate, a role he took very seriously. He also worked the polls on election days for many years, eventually becoming an Election Poll Coordinator. Bob has a strong belief in the American Democratic process of voting, this was very important to him. But nothing was more important to Robert than his wife Anna. Together they enjoyed growing cactus, roses, flowers that attracted Monarch butterflies, attending to their various collections and decorating for all the holidays. Robert was also an avid chili cookoff competitor and loved playing Santa for his grandkids and others. Bob recently enjoyed looking into family history. He discovered that his family of birth are one of the original Canary Island Descendants, being one of only 16 families sent by King Filipe of Spain to immigrate to New Spain to colonize Texas. They founded the “Ville de Fernando” in 1731, now San Antonio. Bob was excited to know that his family has descended from the first mayor of San Antonio. Bob has a deep love of God and his Catholic faith and was heavily involved in his church of 50 years, St Philomena. Upon hearing of Bobs passing one Priest said “Bob is one person I can say served until his last breath.” Bob enjoyed his role as Usher for most of his 50 years as well as other ways he served the congregation. After retiring from Honeywell and then politics Bob cared for his wife until her passing in 2015. At his wife’s urging Bob was commissioned as a Eucharistic Minister for St Philomena in 2016, working at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Carson, California and Little Company of Mary in Torrance, California, every weekend until March 2020. To keep fit so he could continue to help people Bob regularly went to the gym to swim and exercise. His neighbors would often see Bob setting out early to head to the gym in the morning to start his day. Bob enjoyed talking to his neighbors and getting them involved in his home improvement projects. Bob was truly loved by all. His positivity and care for people evident to all who knew him. His heart was as big as Texas and as bright as California. He will be greatly missed.


Robert was a devoted husband to Anna Mary Miller Rankin, beloved father to Nancy Rankin Griffin & Theresa Jordan, father-in-law to Rene Griffin & James Jordan, grandfather to Elizabeth Jordan, Sarah & Dane Adams, Mark Jordan, Jeannine Wood & Damien Wood, Great-grandfather of Tianna, Dylan, Aiden, Cole, Jhadin & Amari. His parents Orie Ray Rankin and Anna Emma Jung Rankin proceeded him in death as did his brother Werner Albert Rankin and sister in law Ruby Krueger Rankin. He is survived by his siblings Orie William Rankin, Claude August Rankin & his wife Evelyn, Otis Timothy Rankin & his wife Carol, Barbara Ann Rankin Hatch & her husband Frank, Allen Richard Rankin & his wife Patty. Survived by one Aunt, Vernell Jung Dawson and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Robert’s In-laws originally came from New Jersey, George William Miller & Hellen Hacket Miller proceeded him in death. His brothers in-law were George Miller, Jim Miller & William Miller, also deceased, as well as sisters-in-laws, nephews & a niece.


A private funeral service will be held 11:30 AM, Thursday. August 6, 2020 at Green Hills Pavillion followed by interment at Green Hills Memorial Park.


The service will be live streamed via the link below.
https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/55396880