Johnny Lane Rankin

Johnny Lane Rankin, 82, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. Johnny was a loving husband, father lovingly known as “Pop” and grandfather “PawPaw”.

Johnny was born on December 9, 1937 in Rankin to Forrest and Josephine (Bethune) Rankin. In 1958, he joined the United States Army and served his country proudly until his honorable discharge in 1964. Johnny was married to Patsy Ann Kitchens and they raised two children, David and Leah, and their “other daughter” Debbie. On July 23, 1994 he married his wife, Trudy Budai.

Johnny retired from Ennis Business Forms in 1987 after twenty-seven years of service as a film developer, he then went to work for Ellis County Pct. 2 until 2007 as a Heavy Equipment Operator and he was owner of B & R Grocery in Bardwell until it’s closing in 2002.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Trudy Rankin; his children: David Rankin and wife, Melanie, Leah Hinchliffe and husband, Randy, Debbie Watson and husband, Lance, David Wolfe and wife, Stacy, Aaron Wolfe and wife, Daisy, Tracey Langley; nine grandchildren; thirteen greatgrandchildren; siblings: Joe “Bink” Rankin and Jerry “Muff” Griesenbeck; along with a host of extended family and friends.

Johnny is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Fred Rankin and wife, Mary, Frances “Chic”, Hoyle and husband, Gabe, Bill Rankin and wife, Helen and Hazel “Polly” Rankin; inlaw, Linda Rankin, Larry Griesenbeck, Leslie Lott, Donald Jay Langley, Albert and Ruby Budai and grandchildren, Colt Wolfe and Jasmine Wolfe;. nieces and nephews: Kathy Lynn Turner, Mark Hoyle, Ricky Rankin, and Jeffrey Lynn Rankin; sister-in-law; Marcy Rankin.

Those we love never truly leave us.

God has you in his keeping we have you in our hearts.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2020 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the J. E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis.

A Celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 11 a.m. in the Fundamental Baptist Church of Palmer with Rev. Gary Miller officiating. Private interment will be held at a later date in Elm Branch Cemetery.