James Rankin

James Rankin of Irvington, Va., a much-loved husband, father and grandfather, died Saturday, July 10, 2004 at the age of 80. He was born September 26, 1923, the son of the late John Munro and Grace Crews Rankin in Lake Worth, Fla. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina and served as a U.S. Navy carrier pilot during World War II and the Korean War. He was an editor and columnist for the Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution, the Louisville (Ky.) Times, the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer and the Raleigh Times. He has for many years been a volunteer at the Northern Neck Free Health Clinic. He is survived by Sallie Baber Rankin, his wife of 51 years, son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Carol Rankin of Decatur, Ga.; sister, Margaret Westfall of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; brother, John M. Rankin Jr. of Slingerland, N.Y.; grandchildren, James and Sylvia Rankin; and step grandson, Errol Zinkand. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be sent to Grace Episcopal Church or the Northern Neck Free Health Clinic.