Ronald E. Rankin, age 82, of Canton passed away on January 16, 2022. He was born in Navarre on January 29, 1939, to Dempsie and Helen (Owens) Rankin. Ron graduated from Navarre High School and following high school he attended and graduated from Capital University where he played football. His teaching and coaching career began at Fairless High School and continued at Lehman High School. While at Lehman, he was the head football coach. Ron spent the vast majority of his education career as an administrator within the Canton City Schools. Ron was an avid bowler, a long-time high school basketball official, and was instrumental in creating the Repository East-West All Star Game and the Stark County Coaches Association. Ron is a member of the Stark County Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2005.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Ray. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gay; children Ron Jr (Stephanie) Rankin, Ross (Kara) Rankin, Noelle (Brian) Rice, and Carla (Joe) Pry; grandchildren Marissa, Peter, and Rena Rankin, Mattison (Ryan) Vanderhorst, Mackenzie, and Reis Rankin, Chandler, Teagan, Harleigh, and Cooper Rice, Josie and Carly Pry; great granddaughter Demi; sister-in-law Karen.
Calling hours will be Thursday, January 20, 2022, at the Arnold and Spiker Foster Shriver Funeral Home at 4817 Cleveland Ave NW from 4-6PM. Private family services will be held Friday, January 21 with final resting place at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Stark County Football Coaches 436 King Church Ave SW, Uniontown, Ohio 44685.