Richard Karl Rankin

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 â€œPonyâ€ Rankin and Madge Inez (Crowell) Rankin. Richard graduated valedictorian from Longton High School in 1956 and received his bachelorâ€™s 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, at the First Baptist Church in Howard, Kansas. For the next 10 years 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 3 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 5 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, Rustin Kent Rankin and wife Jeanne, of Fredonia, Kansas, and 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; Dylan and Kaden Combellick; and his faithful canine companion, Bailey Karl Rankin. He was preceded in death by his parents Pony and Madge. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM 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 from 6 to 8 PM at Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard. 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 in Howard, Kansas.

Richard Karl Rankin

April 17, 1939 - February 19, 2010