R.D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza: The Life of Ronald D. Rankin

Ron Rankin was born on April 19 (Patriot's Day), 1929 in Tusla, Oklahoma to Ralph R. and Ruth (Fletcher) Rankin. He died October 12, 2004 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. As a child he moved with his family to California in 1934, and attended schools there, including Brown Military Academy at San Diego. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1946 and shipped out to the Philippines, stationed at Subic Bay. He boxed middle-weight and was runner-up in the South Pacific Fleet Championships in 1947. After his discharge in 1948, he met and married the former Alice (Mimi) George of Huntington Park, California. They were married on June 4, 1949 in Huntington Park.

In 1950 Ron enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves just before he was activated on July 29, 1950 and shipped out August 18 for Korea, leaving behind his wife and 7-month-old daughter. Ron saw combat at the Inchon Landing and continued on to the liberation of Seoul, heading north to the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. After surviving 100,000 Red Chinese, he was discharged as a corporal at San Diego on July 12, 1951. For Ron’s service to his country he was awarded the:

*American Campaign Medal

*World War II Victory Medal

*National Defense Service Medal

*Korean Service Medal w/Silver Star

*Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon

*Meritorious Unit Ribbon

Foreign Awards:

*Philippine Libertarian/Independence Ribbon

*Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

Ron attended flight school and was a licensed private pilot. He worked as a machinist making airplane parts at his family business, Rankin Brothers Engineering and Sales in Lynwood, California. He worked up to sales manager and then vice president of the company. While residing in Anaheim and LaHabra, California, Ron was active in state Republican Party politics, and also served as manager of the Business Department of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and was active in the Rotary Club. In 1965 he moved with his wife and five children to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

In Coeur d’Alene Ron continued his interest in politics and in 1988 hosted a daily radio commentary on KCDA-FM, a station owned by John Rook. Rankin was also was a logger, running reforestation crews throughout Washington and Montana. In 1996 he was elected Kootenai County Commissioner and served two terms from January 1997 through January 2003. During that time he had a vision to build a veteran’s memorial plaza between the old courthouse and the new building that had just been completed.

He began to raise money from private individuals for the three flagpoles and dedicatory stone continuing on to the black marble “Killed In Action” monument, the 13 wall panels of epic battle scenes from history, and the Hall of Heroes/Medal of Valor reipients and Purple Heart Honor Roll that hang in the foyer of the building.

Upon his retirement, the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution naming him “Curator for Life”. Ron considered this memorial to veterans as his legacy. He was honored to receive the Lt. George Farragut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution State and National Community Service Award for his work on behalf of veterans, as well as the Military Order of the Purple Heart Distinguished Service Award, and the Kootenai County Veterans Council Award for Service.

He was a life member and founding Judge Advocate of the Pappy Boyington Detachment #966 of the Marine Corps League; a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9831; a member of the American Legion Post 14; and a member of the “Chosin Few”, a last man organization of those who survived the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in North Korea, Nov - Dec 1950. He also served as Citizenship Merit Badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America for decades. He was President of the Idaho State Property owners association. For his efforts to reduce property taxes through the statewide initiatives and in running for Governor in 1994, he was named among the “100 Most Influential Idahoans” for four years in a row.
Preceded in death by his parents, Ron was survived by his wife, Alice, and daughters, Lynne Rankin, Kerri Thoreson, Janna Scharf, Ronna Park and son Ralph R. Rankin II, who also served in the Marine Corps at Subic Bay. He was also survived by brothers, Robert W. Rankin and Gary L. Rankin and 19 grandchildren and 3 great grandsons.
Ron was a unique individual with a robust sense of humor and a joke for everyone, even in his last days in the hospital. He is missed deeply by his family and all who knew him.