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John Rank
Virgil ″John" Rank, passed away at his home after a lengthy battle with mouth cancer on February 11, 2013. John was born December 29, 1932 in Buffalo County, South Dakota to Harry and Ada Rank. He was the youngest of 11 and was his Mom's 45th birthday present. John spent most of his young adult years in South Dakota, graduating from Elvira Township High School in Gann Valley, So.Dak. in 1951. He served his country as a proud Marine from 1952-1954. On November 24, 1956 he married his sweetheart, Genevieve Knippling in Stephan, So.Dak. Both of them with farming/ ranching backgrounds continued this life style with their own place in Fort Thompson, So. Dak. until a tragic accident took the life of Genevieve on February 28, 1962. John, now with 3 little ones, continued ranching. On April 15 1964, two families were blended when John married Nancy (Edgeley) Davis. They, as a family now of eight, continued ranching. They became a family of 9 in 1966, and in 1968 they leased the ranch and moved to Port Orchard, WA John went to work at Naval Subase Bangor August, 1968. He started out as a Heavy Duty Locomotive Mechanic worked his way up to Heavy Machinery then as a Crane Inspector retiring in December, 1988 as Heavy Duty Mechanic, Shop Planner, and Substitute Shop Supervisor. In the interim he served with the Seabees from Feb.1972 - Feb.1976 John spent his retirement years managing their rentals, gardening and trying to grow odd vegetables. He enjoyed traveling if it was going to see his family or to Mexico. John thoroughly enjoyed a good book, and Gunsmoke!! In younger years in So. Dak., he was active in the community being County Commander of the American Legion, School Board President of the Fort Thompson School District and active on the Weed Board of Brule County. He is survived by his wife Nancy of the family home, two sons, Marty (Sue) of Seabeck, WA, Woody (Linda) of Port Orchard five daughters, Diana (Randy) Winney of Port Orchard, Wendy McAllister of New York, Linda Rank of Port Orchard, Terri Hall of Minnesota, Genny Rank of Port Orchard. Twenty two grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren. Two bothers Harold (Sophie) Rank of Wyoming and LeRoy (Phyllis) Rank of So. Dak. Two sisters, Melvina Slemp of Iowa, Sylvia (Harold) Huber of So. Dak. and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents Harry and Ada Rank, four brothers, Charles, Ernest, Vernon, & Melvin, two sister, Florence Wood and Grace Foltz Viewing will be Tuesday, February 19th at Lewis Funeral Chapel from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Memorial service will be at 1:00 PM at Christian Life Center in Port Orchard on Wednesday, February 20th . Private burial services were at Miller-Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you remember Hospice of Kitsap County, South Kitsap Christian School Scholarship Fund .......and.......once a Marine always a Marine, please remember the children at Christmas with Toys for Tots.December 29, 1932 - February 11, 201312/29/193202/11/2013
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John Rank
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