Gary Edmond Rankin passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 with his son, Scott by his side. Gary was 85 years old. The son of Josephine "Jo" Louise (Edmonds) and Kenneth Philip Rankin, Gary was born on July 12, 1938 in Omaha, Nebraska.

An outstanding all-around athlete, Gary lettered in all four sports while attending Shawnee Mission High School. Tragically during high school, Gary was stricken with Polio and was ordered to bed rest. This ultimately resulted in atrophy of the muscles of his left leg which limited his abilities to continue sports with the previous vigor.

Gary never allowed Polio to limit his competitive spirit throughout his remaining high school and college years. Everyone who had any association with Gary knew him to be fiercely driven to excel in all aspects of his life. Following graduation from Shawnee Mission High School, Gary continued his education at the University of Kansas, where he graduated in 1960 with his Bachelors of Science Degree in Education. While at KU, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta and a graduate assistant for the men's track and field team. He continued his pursuit of excellence in education at KU where he received his Masters of Science in Education Degree in 1963.

Shortly after receiving his Master's Degree he moved to Greeley, Colorado to attend the University of Northern Colorado to pursue his Doctorate, which he attained with distinguished honor. Gary met the love of his life Tommie Manahan in 1970 in Chicago while working as a teacher. The two were united in marriage on March 12, 1971 in Libertyville, Illinois. Together, they moved to Oklahoma City in 1976 when Gary accepted a position as the Vice President of Student Development with South Oklahoma City Junior College, now known as Oklahoma City Community College. For more than 25 years, Gary enjoyed a wonderful career with the college.

Throughout his career at Oklahoma City Community College, Gary was instrumental in starting many different programs and traditions such as the Arts Festival Oklahoma which began in 1983, the Oklahoma Senior Classic Games, and during the U.S. 1989 Olympic Festival, the swimming and diving competitions were held at the college. He also assisted with the implementation of the Downtown College Consortium, where five colleges came together to offer credit and non-credit college classes in 1995.

After the 1999 tornado damaged Westmoore High School and the surrounding homes, Gary was instrumental in creating the opportunity for the Westmoore High School students to finish out their year at Oklahoma City Community College Campus. In 2001, Gary retired from OCCC as Vice President of Economic Development. He also taught doctoral classes for Nova University throughout his time at OCCC and beyond.

Gary was always outgoing and community service minded in all his endeavors. He plugged in and became involved where ever he was living, working or worshiping. Some of these activities he was involved in include being a member of the Walnut Creek Golf & Country Club, which also formerly known as Willow Creek and now known as Hidden Trails Golf & Country Club; a council member of the Kingswood/Earlywine Park Council, serving as President of the South Oklahoma City Rotary Club 1983-1984, he was honored as "Citizen of the Year" by the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce 1987, served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce 1994, served Interim President of the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce 2003, was inducted into the Foundation for South Oklahoma City Emeritus Club 2017, as well as served as the Oklahoma City Ward 5 Planning Commissioner.

No matter what Gary was doing, or where he was living, or who he was around, Gary strived to make each place and person better. He used his many talents, dedicated his time, and sought to make every situation the absolute best in order to benefit others. He positively enhanced the lives of thousands during his lifetime.

While we will dearly miss his presence here on earth each day, we take comfort and rejoice in knowing he is reunited with his one true love, his wife Tommie and the Lord. Gary left a tremendous legacy that will continue to live and grow in each of us and the communities of friends he made.

Gary was preceded in death by his:

Parents;

Wife of 50 years, Tommie Rankin;

Gary leaves behind his loving family:

Son, Scott Rankin and his girlfriend, Deon;

Brother, Phil Rankin and his wife, Sharon;

Sister-in-law, Linda Davis;

Numerous Nieces, Nephews and Cousins;

Countless extended family and dear friends around the world.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church www.stlukesokc.org/give or Upward Transitions www.upwardtransitions.org. Memorial services to celebrate Gary's life will be held 10 AM Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church 222 NW 15th OKC, OK 73103. Gary E. Rankin