Wayne Franklin Rankin, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away April 25, 2024, surrounded by family at his home in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He was 82.
Wayne was born on February 4, 1942, in Scott County, Kentucky, the sixth of seven children born to James Chester Rankin and Mildred Case Rankin. After several moves, Wayne’s family settled in 1951 at a farm near Paris, Kentucky. He spent the rest of his childhood there, learning practical skills and creating memories he would carry and share the rest of his life.
After attending Center Hill Grade School, Wayne graduated from Bourbon County High School in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart, Martha Yazell, a year later. They would spend nearly 63 years devoted to one another as their family grew.
Wayne became “Daddy” to his beloved children, Natalie and Tony, in 1962 and 1965. Later, he became a loving “Granddaddy” and years after that, a doting great-granddaddy to the latest generation of children. He was a supportive and kind father-in-law to his son- and daughters-in-law. With a mix of strength and tenderness all his own, Wayne was vocal about his love for his family — never shy or sparing about saying “I love you.” He stood by his loved ones during good times and bad, gave the best bear hugs and always warmly welcomed visitors to his home.
Wayne spent most of his career working in the transportation industry. In the 1960s, he began working for the Railway Express Agency, where he managed freight, drove tractor-trailers, and served as a station manager. A lifelong lover of machines, Wayne’s time at REA solidified an enduring interest in trains.
Thirty-one years in the airline business began in September 1968 when Wayne joined Piedmont Airlines. His work paved the way for Tony and his grandson Daniel to join the “family business,” where they both still work as pilots. Wayne started with Piedmont in Lexington. But he eventually worked at 10 stations across the Southeast and Midwest as an agent, supervisor and manager. At each stop, co-workers quickly became cherished lifelong friends. He finished his career in 1999, working through Piedmont’s 1989 merger with USAir, later US Airways, and finishing as station manager in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Wayne and Martha built their retirement home in Hendersonville, where they spent 28 years together. Wayne enjoyed fishing, beekeeping, bargain hunting, listening to gospel music on his back porch and growing a garden that nourished family and friends. He and Martha were committed to their churches and frequently traveled together, enjoying cruises and visiting all 50 states.
Wayne was predeceased by his parents and brothers Bradley, Bobby, Donnie, and Jerry Rankin. He is survived by: his sister, Mary Sue (Ray) Lillie, and brother, Buddy Rankin, of Paris; his wife, Martha Rankin; his children, Natalie (David) Parce of Hendersonville and Tony (Lisa) Rankin of Sherrills Ford, North Carolina; and his grandchildren, Sarah Rankin (Bobby Quesenbery) of Richmond, Virginia, Logan Parce (Jeni) of Hendersonville, Dylan Butler (Will) of Matthews, North Carolina, Allie Bumgardner (Cory) of Kernersville, North Carolina, Daniel Rankin (Jesse) of Jamestown, North Carolina, and Jessica Parce (Zac Key) of Hendersonville. He also leaves behind eight beloved great-grandchildren: James Quesenbery; Tate, Ezra and Madalyn Bumgardner; Graham, Abby and Jordan Butler; and Ginny Rankin. Wayne just missed meeting twin great-grandchildren, Ella and Lucas Parce, but he will be looking down lovingly on them when they arrive. He is also survived by his many nieces, nephews, and sisters- and brothers-in-law, including Jack Plummer, a childhood friend, and many other treasured friends.
Wayne’s faith was central to his life and grew until it was time for him to go home. His family will miss him the rest of their lives but celebrate that he is at peace after a lengthy illness.
A celebration of his remarkable life will be held Sunday, May 5, at Bethel Wesleyan Church, 909 Tracy Grove Road, Flat Rock, N.C. A visitation will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. service, which will also be livestreamed on the church’s website.
Should friends desire, contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Bethel Wesleyan Church or Four Seasons Hospice of Hendersonville.
Arrangements were by Asheville Mortuary Services.
Read the original obituary HERE.