Everett Vivian Rankins entered heaven on April 21, 2024 in Ripon, CA. Everett was born January 1, 1928 to Robert Clifton Rankins and Myrtle May Jay Rankins in McKinney, Texas.
Mr. Rankins grew up in very poor conditions as result of the Great Depression but he enjoyed the rural country life with his brother and friends. He developed a heart for helping other people and a strong work ethic at a young age. At age 14 Everett began coming to California during summers to work in the hay business for his uncle George Jay. At 17, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and served two years on the USS Scabbardfish submarine after his training.
After the Navy he returned to California to work with his uncle George and soon became partner. Together they built and patented several innovative farm machines. After Everett began his own company, Rankins Ag Service in 1969 he soon invented and patented the famous “One-Wheeler” making balers and rakes self- propelled. He also designed the first overhead rake system, and many other hay implements which he continued making himself up to age 95. With his son Keith partnering with him, Rankins Ag baled over a million bales of hay per season. In 1998 he was thrilled to build his dream shop and farm headquarters in west Tracy. In 2019, Everett was inducted into the
San Joaquin Agricultural Hall of Fame.
His favorite hobby was restoring antique International Harvester trucks ranging from 1912 to 1936. He competed and won awards in many shows, frequent car tours, and parades. He was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather. He loved spoiling the grandkids and joking around with them often. He came to know the Lord Jesus as his Savior later in life but was a faithful follower. He was a devoted member of First Baptist Church Manteca since the 1970s. He so looked forward to heaven to see Jesus face to face and be reunited with his loved ones there.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Wanda Inman Rankins. He is survived by his daughter Pam and husband Steve Rehkopf, son Keith and wife Sara Rankins; grandchildren Jared (Jen) Rankins, Rachel Rankins, Emily (Adam) Kazmierski, Ethan (Laurel) Rehkopf, and Erin (Jonathan) Pak; great-grandchildren Evangeline and Stella Kazmierski, Harper and Brooks Van Ess, Ezra Kate Rankins, Norman Rehkopf and one Pak on the way!
A Celebration of Life will be held on May 11, 2024 at The Way Church in Manteca at 1:00. Internment
will be at Tracy Public Cemetery in a private service.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, May 4, 2024
