Dr. Jacob Rankin

Dr. Jacob Rankin, long time educator and former Superintendent of Porterville School District, died on December 1, 2021. Jacob (Jake) Rankin will be remembered for his intelligence, kindness, fairness and soft-spoken manner.
Jake dedicated his professional life to the Porterville School District beginning in 1959.
He served as a teacher, Vice Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent of Business and finally as Superintendent of the District for 27 years. Upon his retirement in 2001, the Board of Trustees of Porterville School District acknowledged Dr. Rankin's legacy of leadership and dedication to Porterville students by naming the new stadium at Granite Hills High School in his honor
Jake was born in Porterville in 1936 to Jack and Hazel Rankin. As a youth he attended Porterville Schools; he also learned to love the opportunities afforded by the rural community, including hiking Rocky Hill with lifelong friend and fellow hiker, Ted Cornell. In 1954 he graduated from Porterville High and subsequently received his BA and Master's degrees from Fresno State. He earned his doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California. In high school Jake excelled in all of his academic work. He was also an Eagle Scout.
He enjoyed basketball as a player and later as a coach and fan. Throughout his life Jacob was an avid Dodger fan and was thrilled with their 2020 World Series Championship.
Jake was something of a naturalist and was particularly interested in the flora and fauna of the valley. He could name every bird of the region on sight and was always the first to spot a deer or fox on the hillside.
In retirement Jake enjoyed traveling in the US, Canada, Europe and New Zealand.
He also enjoyed participating in the Visalia Wine Club and his "No Name" lunch group.
For more than 25 years he and Marilyn looked forward to the annual New Years' Eve celebration hosted in Pebble Beach by long-time friends Janet and Clarence Hill.
Jake treasured his abundant friendships throughout the years and will be remembered as a quiet but reliable source of support to many. He was the recipient of the same support and kindness from his friend and neighbor Dr. Daniel Hightower.
Jake was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Hazel Rankin and brother John Rankin. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Marilyn, his sons Richard (Diane) of Springville and Patrick of Exeter, his daughter Belinda Kiesecker (Peter) of Newport Beach, and sister Janice Pennington of Arkansas. He is also survived by his five beloved grandchildren - who affectionately named him "Papa Jake" - grandsons Jacob and Aaron Rankin, Jack and Nicolas Kiesecker and granddaughter Natalie Rankin. He also leaves behind treasured nieces and nephews and many, many friends who held special places in his heart.
Jacob Rankin will be much missed and thought of often.