Oliver John Rankin
March 13, 1918 ~ October 24, 2019
Born in:
Canton, OH
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailOliver J. Rankin age 101, WWII veteran and retired firefighter, left this earth for his heavenly home October 24, 2019.
Born in Canton, Ohio on March 13, 1918, he grew up in Uniontown, PA, and was the son of the late Oliver J. and Margaret Yeardley Rankin. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Charles and Lawrence, and sister, Kathryn.
Ruby Merrell Rankin, his loving wife for 51 years, passed away in 1997. Their son, Cameron O. Rankin, passed away in 1992.
Oliver is survived by his granddaughter, Renee Smith and husband Jeremy; and nieces and nephews Dennis, Sam, Dick and Larry Merrell, Diane Capps and Bonnie Akin.
Oliver served in the Army Air Forces as an airplane mechanic for the B-24 bomber. His love of flight and airplanes continued throughout his life and he even helped friends build private planes.
Oliver retired from the Asheville Fire Department in 1984 as captain after 37 years with perfect attendance. He was an avid chess player, and an amateur ham operator with the call sign WB4AAM. He attended the West Asheville Church of God for over 60 years.
His family wishes to thank the Baptist Retirement Home for their loving care of Oliver.
The graveside service will be held at Emma’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Fletcher on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at 3:00 p.m.
Services
Graveside Service: October 27, 2019 3:00 pm
Emma's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery
417 Emmas Grove Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
828-252-3535
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I remember meeting Oliver about 50 years ago when I was first licensed as an amateur radio operator. A wonderful spirit – and always a pleasure to talk to him at club meetings. I still own an older piece of equipment he built that he sold to me. Rest in Peace old friend…
Oliver was a great friend that I talked simplex with for many years. He sold me a small tower for my antenna. He was well versed on the way things used to be. We had a lot of things in common and enjoyed each others company. A great FRIEND. He talked about Renee and Jeremy a lot, he really loved you both. I used to call him on the phone and we talked and talked privately instead of over the airwaves. He was an interesting fellow to talk with. I tried tracking him down after he sold his house but never had any luck in finding him. So sorry in finding him in the obit section but glad to have found out about him. May Jesus give the family PEACE and COMFORT in this time of sorrow.