Fain “Pete” Middleton Rankin, Jr. of O Fallon, MO, passed away at the age of 92 on Monday, June 10, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fain and Carrie Rankin.
Pete is survived by his beloved wife, Yvonne Rachel Rankin; his children, James Rankin I, John Fain Rankin, Susan (Mike) Rankin-Herron, Paul Rankin, and Martha (John) Rankin-Ring; his grandchildren, Jennifer Carrie Maher, Stephanie Leigh Harrison, Rachel Allison (Shawn) Rankin-Nelson, Amanda Brea (Rich) Harrison-Criebaum, Jacquline Rachel Harrison, James Middleton Rankin II, Dustin Allen (Charly) Wilhelm, Caleb Shawn Harrison, Jesse Paul Wilhelm, Alexander Fain Rankin, Sarah Ashley Rankin, Zachary Paul (Melanie) Harrison-Behlmann; his great-grandchildren, Ian Tyler McCall, Christian Henry Short, Isabella Elise Graham, Jaksen Levi Wilson, Liv Rachel Nash, Mabel Brea Criebaum, Mirabelle Kate Criebaum, Faith Dior Rankin, Scarlett Yvonne Rankin, and Shane Alex Nelson; his great-great-grandchildren, Natalie Ann Behlmann and Mia Elise McCall; and his sister, Jean Rankin-Torson.
Pete was born at home in St. Louis on old S. Broadway on June 29, 1926 (St. Peter and St. Paul Feast Day). He grew up in Leavenworth, KS and was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Church in Leavenworth. He graduated from Summerville High School in Summerville, South Carolina and volunteered for the US Army Air Force Cadet Program before graduation. Pete proudly joined and served his country on active duty in the US Army Air Force in December 1944. He attended various service schools and spent time overseas in the Philippines before being honorably discharged in December 1946.
He married his wife, Yvonne, in 1947 and 5 children were born to the marriage. They spent 71 loving years together.
Pete attended the University of Wichita while working full time on the Wichita Police Department, graduating with a major in English and minor in Police Science, Administration, and Education in June 1951. He was then recalled to active duty with the US Army and assigned to the Cold War in Germany. He resigned commission in 1956 and returned to the Wichita Police Department as an Appointed Special Agent with the Federal Narcotic Bureau, US Treasury Department in 1957, subsequently changed to the DEA under the Justice Department. During those years, Pete served in a number of cities in the US as Agent, Agent-in-Charge, Supervisor, Assistant Regional Director, and Office of Internal Security before retirement in December 1978.
He served as member of Vestry for St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in South Port (Indianapolis), IN. Was very active as an acolyte, Sunday School teacher and youth groups in Leavenworth and Wichita. Pete was also a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and Shriners.
“I fear God, believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and am fiercely patriotic.”
Memorial contributions in Pete’s name may be made to
SSM Hospice,
O'Fallon Fire Station #1, or
Trinity Episcopal Church.