Edward Harris "Ed" Rankin

EDWARD HARRIS RANKIN
November 17, 1936 ˜ September 19, 2025

Edward ’Ed’ Harris Rankin (November 17, 1936 - September 19, 2025) passed away peacefully in Oklahoma City at Integris Hospice House after suffering a stroke on September 6 at Legacy Retirement Village in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Ed was born in Berkeley, California, to Sheldon Stevens Rankin (1906-2001) and Marion Ivy (Harris) Rankin (1902-2000). In 1969, he married Kara Lynn Kinnick (b. 1944); they have one child, David Bruce Rankin (b. 1975), who lives with spouse Alexandra Goncalves Pena and their children, Eva and Lucas, in Brooklyn, New York.

A lifelong learner, Ed collected numerous degrees, starting with his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy with Honors from the University of Pacific in Stockton, California, in 1958; he then graduated from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1961, with a Master’s of Divinity and was ordained as an Episcopal priest that same year.

He earned a Master’s degree in philosophy from Oklahoma State University (“OSU”) in 1969 and another Master’s degree in education from the University of Oregon in 1970. He received a Doctorate of Theology from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1987.

Ed was also a pastor and educator. He served as the Episcopal Chaplain at OSU 1962-1969, and became vicar to missions in Gardiner and Florence, Oregon, from 1971-1973. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish in Portland Oregon called Ed as its rector from 1973 to 1980.

He found a permanent work home in Vancouver, Washington, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where he worked from 1980 to 2000 when he retired. While at St. Luke’s, he took pride in the community he nurtured and the groups he supported.

In addition to his ordained ministry, Ed served on the Vancouver Public School Board for 20 years. During his tenure on the board, the school district built approximately half a billion dollars of construction in astute anticipation of the region’s growth.

As a cofounder of the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, Ed considered that achievement as one of his most successful and meaningful endeavors. Established in 1990, the clinic offers free healthcare to all. Last year the clinic had more than 300 volunteer healthcare professionals who helped over 4,000 patients.

While not working, Ed enjoyed reading, photography, the Rotary Club, growing flowers, traveling with Kara Lynn, and looking after a long assortment of feline companions.

Ed’s wife of 56 years, Kara Lynn Kinnick, his son, David Rankin (Alexandra), and his grandchildren, Eva Lucia Pena Rankin and Lucas Ignacio Pena Rankin survive him. His parents, his brother, Richard Jimmy Rankin (1931-2019), dozens of orchids, and many Abyssinian cats predeceased him.

Memorials for Ed will take place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Ballroom at Legacy Retirement Village, 5601 N. Washington Street in Stillwater Oklahoma. A West Coast memorial will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025. at 2 p.m. at American Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St., Vancouver, WA 98661.

Should his memory move you, he requested donations be made to the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington or the charity of your choice.

https://freeclinics.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/104720/Default.aspx

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