James D. "Jimmy Dale" Rankin

James D. "Jimmy Dale" Rankin, 69, died on Friday, June 25, 2010 in Graham. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Richard Reed officiating. Burial will follow in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

James was born on February 17, 1941 in Jacksboro to the late James Gilbert and Doris Ellen (Franklin) Rankin. He married Mary Ann Williamson on April 16, 1966 in Graham. James graduated from Graham High School and received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration from University of North Texas. He was a veteran of the United States Navy Submarine Force, serving from 1959 to 1968. James moved to Graham in 1998 after having lived in the DFW Metroplex, where he was a former Lone Star Gas and TXU Electric Vice President/Sr. Vice President. In 2001, James was director of Public Works for the City of Graham, retiring in 2006. He was currently serving Young County as the Veterans Service Officer.

Survivors include: wife, Mary Ann Williamson Rankin of Graham; son, William Zearl "Bill" Rankin and wife, Lorna of Arlington; daughter, Ellie Kay Rankin Redden and husband, Ron of Lake Jackson; 5 grandchildren; Kyle and David Rankin, Mollie, John, and Emma Redden; sisters, Doris White and husband, Kenneth of Mineral Wells, Donna Simonds and husband, Danny of Alexandria, Virginia, and Becky Gober and husband, Jay of Graham; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 6 to 8 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, Young County Chapter, Young County Humane Society, or Graham Regional Hospice.