Hundley Vinson Rankin

Hundley V. Rankin age 93, died March 8 after a lengthy illness at Stone Gate Nursing Center. Funeral services to be held at 2:00 PM, March 11 at Hamil Family Funeral Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd; Abilene Texas 79606. Burial to follow at Elmwood Memorial Cemetery, Abilene Texas. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Ridglea Presbyterian Church Ft. Worth. Hundley was born to Robb and Fannie on Jan 2, 1924 in Brownwood Texas. He graduated from Brownwood HS in 1942. He earned his Mechanical Engineering Degree from Rice University in 1948. His college career was interrupted for 2 years as he served in the Navy during WWII. Participating in the Eddy Test program, he was qualified to receive training in the Electronics Training Program. The ETP was considered the best technical training program available in the Armed Services. Hundley began his professional career working at Lone Star Gas in Abilene and Kerrville. He then moved to Ft. Worth to begin his 32 year career working at Convair which became General Dynamics. Hundley became a licensed Professional Engineer working as Senior Design Engineer in the Thermodynamics Department responsible for the Environmental Control Systems of several airplane designs. Hundley worked on the B36 Peacemaker, B58 Hustler, F111 Aardvark and F16 Falcon. His work took him all over the globe and he truly loved and enjoyed the travels. Hundley enjoyed classical music and played the clarinet from Junior High School through his time in the Navy. His childhood experiences as a Boy Scout were very influential throughout his life. He enjoyed helping with the Scouting program while his sons were scouts. He was a tennis enthusiast from his teenage years into his 80's as a Senior Olympic Champion. He formed many lasting friendships during his years playing tennis. He was ordained as an Elder while a member of Arlington Heights Presbyterian church. He has been an active member of Ridglea Presbyterian Church for many years. Hundley enjoyed all his friends and truly saw the good in everyone. In all his travels, he always knew someone where he was going and felt the need to stay in contact with all his friends. Hundley married Betty Jo McMillon of Abilene and enjoyed 67 years of marriage. Nancy, Joe and John are their beloved children. By supporting all the activities they choose, he instilled traits of hard work, integrity and truthfulness in their lives. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robb Y, Billy Wright (WWII casualty), sisters Mildred Walters and Nanny Beth Lyle. He is survived by his devoted wife Betty Jo, daughter Nancy Shumaker (Chip), Joe Rankin, John Rankin (Angela), Grandchildren – Stephanie Nicholson (Brent), Casey Shumaker (Jamie), Rachel Rankin, Dinah Elizabeth Rankin, Travis Rankin, Great grandchildren Cayla Thomas (Johnathan), Kelsey Nicholson, Luke and Colin Shumaker. He is also survived by sister-in-laws Easter Hothan and Melba Boozer and many relatives, nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Memorials may be made to any choice of ones choosing. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Stone Gate and Dr. Robert Kelly for his many years of devoted care.