ALBERT T. RANKIN

1921 - 2014

ALBERT T. RANKIN May 9, 1921 - May 29, 2014 Albert passed awav of natural causes at the home of his dearest friend, Maxine Robinson, in Los Molinos, on May 29, 2014 with Maxine, her family and friends by his side. Albert was born in Ellis Kansas to Earl T. Rankin and Isabelle Rankin (Winters). He had two sisters, Mary Margaret and Gladys M. Albert's family moved from Kansas to Colorado in a covered wagon while Isabelle was pregnant with her second child. Albert grew up in the depression on a farm without electricity or running water. Each of the children had horses that they rode to school. His family was hard working and grew much of their own food. Albert's father broke horses and hired out two teams of horses to farmers to help them plant and harvest their crops. Both Earl and Isabelle owned a team of horses. At young ages Albert and his sisters worked alongside their mother and father. It wasn't long before Albert started to break and train horses himself. In 1939 Albert married his childhood sweetheart, Georgina Eckhoff. They moved to California where Albert got a job at Lockeed, they had their first child, Jarald, in 1940, two daughters followed, Jerrilyn and Jerilei. Albert enlisted in the Navy in World War II and was assigned to the Seabees in the Pacific, much of his time was spent in the Philippines. Sharing memories with family, he told of Japanese fighter planes strafing his unit which suffered many casualties. Albert returned from the war and returned to work at Lockeed working on top secret projects for the Department of Defense including the design and manufacture of early missile systems and various military aircraft. Albert was promoted many times and retired as a project Manager in the late 1970's to Los Molinos with his second wife Marie. Albert and Marie loved music, Marie played the Piano and Organ and Albert learned to play the guitar in his 60's. They would play usually at least two times per week at their church, the Mill Creek Baptist Church in Los Molinos and at other functions. Pastor Carl DeBiase also played with Albert for many years. Albert loved life, the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He could build or fix anything. Marie passed away and later Albert developed a close relationship with Maxine Robinson and her family, they enjoyed about 15 years together before Albert's death. Albert loved people and people loved him. He could tell a good story from his life experiences and when he did, all those present listened without blinking an eye. Albert will be sorely missed by his family and friends, but surely not forgotten in their minds and in their hearts. Albert is survived by his daughter Jerrilyn, his sister Gladys Gillihan and grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. There will be a graveside service at the Tehama Cemetery on June 5, 2014 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Albert's Church, the Mill Creek Baptist Church at 25145 Taft St., Los Molinos, CA., 96055.