Joseph Ford "Joe" Rankin, Jr.

Mr. Joseph Ford “Joe” Rankin, Jr., 76 of Hoboken, passed away Thursday afternoon, February 11, 2021 at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House.

Born in Columbia, Mississippi on November 10, 1944, he had lived in Hoboken for the past two years.  Mr. Rankin was a 1962 graduate of New Iberia Senior High School in New Iberia, LA and began his pursuit of a college degree at North Western State University in Natchitoches, LA.  prior to enlisting in the US Navy.  Following his service in the Navy, he returned to college and completed his four years to earn his Bachelor’s degree.  He worked for Gilman Building Products in St. Marys for many years before transferring to Gilman’s in Blackshear where he would eventually retire after 28 years of service.  Mr. Rankin loved fishing and was an avid hunter who loved to travel as long as it was to somewhere he could hunt.  He enjoyed several hunts out west over the years.  He also enjoyed a good old piece of pound cake!  He was a loving husband and father and was very dedicated to his grandchildren whom he adored.

He was the son of the late Joseph Ford & Bessie Lewis Rankin, Sr. 

Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Evelyn Strickland Rankin of Hoboken; two daughters, Susanna Birge of Waverly and Sherry (Chris) Wood of York, PA; two sons, Shannon (Katie) Rankin of Morganton, GA and Jack Griffin of Houston, TX; his sister, Sally (Steve) Mainwaring of Coatesville, PA; 5 grandchildren, Emily (Brian) Smith, Morgan Wood, Joseph Birge, Ethan Wood, and John Michael Birge; 2 nephews, Benjamin Schneider and William Schneider; and several other relatives and friends.

Memorialization will be by cremation and as per Mr. Rankin’s wishes, there will be no service.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Due to COVID-19, social distancing guidelines as well as the use of facemasks is strongly suggested.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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