John S. Ranger

John Sheldon Ranger of Durham, Maine died Sunday, May 11, 2025. He was born May 22, 1940 in Farmington, Maine to Roland E. and Evelyn Knowles Ranger. He attended schools in Fairbanks and Farmington and worked summers and weekends at his dad's grain store as a clerk and truck driver. He played clarinet in school musical groups and played in the "Old Crow Indian Band." He graduated from Farmington High School in 1958.
He and his high school sweetheart, Carol Ann Bell, married on June 20, 1959, at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Farmington.
John served in the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command from 1958 to 1963 and was stationed at air bases in Maine, Morrocco, New Hampshire, Labrador and Spain. In 1967 both he and his wife Carol received Bachelor of Science degrees in Education from Farmington State College (UMF). He was proud to have been a 7th and 8th grade public school teacher in Wilton and Farmington for 32 years, retiring in 1999. He had been an NRA hunter safety instructor and Maine certified instructor for several years offering it as a school activity.
John enjoyed reading, making furniture, carpentry, hiking, hunting, cooking and family activities.
He had been active in local government, serving on the planning board, tax assessment appeals board, and as a member and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Farmington, Maine. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church in North Windham.
John's wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were sources of great pride in his life.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Gearry and Sally Ranger, son-in-law Mark M. Rumley and grandson Phelan M. Rumley. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol of Durham, Maine, three daughters, Shelly Anne Ranger Reilly and her husband Ted R. Reilly of Durham, Maine, Julie Lynn Ranger Rumley Sheehy and her husband Neil K. Sheehy of Edina, Minnesota, and Nannette Margaret Ranger Duncanson and her husband Arthur E. Duncanson of Durham, Maine. Seventeen grandchildren: Margaret, Sean, and Kathryn Reilly; Bridget, Garrick, Marian and Anna Rumley; Alexander and Schuyler Wetmore; Arthur, Andrew and Aaron Duncanson; Audrey, Morgan, Regan and Brooke Sheehy. Seven great-grandchildren: Killian and Michaela Reilly; John and Blake Sorenson; Donovan and Lily Rumley; Leighton Porter; and Sophie Rumley. Also siblings Patricia Nurse of Farmington, Maine and Michael Ranger of Missouri.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 919 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, Maine at 11am on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
John enjoyed connecting learners and adventurers of all ages with the outdoors and fostering a love for wildlife and being in nature. Those wishing to make a contribution in John's honor may in Iieu of flowers donate to the Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond, P.O. Box 188, Bryant Pond, Maine 04219.