Mark Allen Rankin, 63, of Waco, died November 17, 2017 at his home.
Burial: Mark’s cremated remains were interred with full military honors at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.
Dr. Mark Allen Rankin, 63, of Waco, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on November 17, 2017. He passed from this life at his home, with his wife ministering to him at his bedside. Mark served faithfully in the ministry as a member of Carver Park Baptist Church, and later at Church of the Open Door in Waco, TX. He was a man of God, a pastor and teacher.
Mark was the first born of three children to US Marine SSgt Glenn M. Rankin, and Patricia Mae (McCauley) Rankin, in Miami Beach, FL. The family later relocated to Waukegan, IL, where Mark followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the US Marine Corps after graduation from high school.
Mark was a dedicated, no-nonsense Marine, who took his duties very seriously as a jet engine mechanic. He retired as a maintenance control chief after 21 years and a few months, at the enlisted rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). His favorite fixed-wing aircraft was the F-4 Phantom. It was a sad day in the Rankin household, when his squadron, VMFA-321, at Andrews AFB, Maryland retired their last phantom after the F-4’s were replaced by the F-18’s.
It was during the squadron’s West Pac ‘86 deployment that Mark met his match, best friend and partner in crime, Alice J. Hilliard, who was a dental assistant in the Air Force, at Osan Air Base, Korea. They were married on New Year’s Day in 1987 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. They loved spending time together and traveling, and only a few months ago went on a cruise to Cuba, and then to their favorite spot in Aruba to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.
Mark answered the call to the ministry in September, 2001. He received his license to preach and teach the gospel while a member at Carver Park Baptist Church. He passionately pursued his love for the gospel and went to seminary at The Institute for Teaching God’s Word Theological Seminary in Rockdale where he earned his Doctorate and PhD in Christian Counseling. Dr. Rankin is the author of two books in Christian ministry, and labored as of the instructors at the seminary after he graduated, until his health would not allow him to make the trip to Rockdale. He was also a much beloved pastor and teacher to the men at The House Where Jesus Shines with Church of the Open Door. He wanted so badly to resume teaching his classes there, but again, his health would not allow him to do so.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Patricia Rankin, and his daughter, Emie Gomes.
He is survived by the love of his life, Alice; his son, John Rankin and wife, Jeanne of Buckley, Michigan; his daughter, Amor Carr and husband, Alex of Prescott Valley, AZ; his brother, Scott Rankin and wife, Barbara of Lindenhurst, Illinois; his sister, Beth Rankin-Contee and husband, Frank of Beach Park, Illinois; grandchildren, Jessica, Elisha, Cally, Tony, Orrie, and Elijah; nieces, Sasha and Megan; nephews , Jacob and A.J.; great-nieces, Athena and Freya and great-nephews, Maxwell and Jayden.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either Providence Hospice at www.providencehospice.org or Baylor Scott&White Healthcare Foundation at https://giving.sw.org Checks can be mailed to Baylor Scott&White Healthcare – Hillcrest, 100 Hillcrest Medical Blvd., Waco, TX 76712 Attn: Falon Coleman
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Dallas / Ft. Worth National Cemetery , 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy.; Dallas, TX 75211
Print Obituary & Condolences
Dr. Rankin will be missed. He was a dear friend and an amazing brother in Christ. My prayers are with Sis Alice and the family. I love how he challenged us in class at the Institute. I started to reread his book on Monday. The autograph was amazing. He’s rejoicing in heaven. Until we meet again. Rest, my comrade!
Then GySgt. Rankin worked for me as the power plants chief when I was the aviation maintenance officer of VMFA-232. I remember him as a no nonsense Marine who could be relied on to accomplish all assigned to him. I remember him fondly and I’m saddened by his death.
Mark was the NCOIC of Power Plants when I was the Maintenance Chief of VMFA-232. I remember him as a hard-nosed but fair Marine, respected by all Marines in the squadron. To Alice…Mark sent me a picture of the day you and he stood before God and pledged your love for each other. He asked and I accepted to be the NCOIC of the Honor Guard that held the raised swords that you and he walked under as I presented to the world “Gunnery Sergeant and Mrs. Mark Rankin.” I was honored to be a small part of that joyous celebration.
Randy Alcorn, director of Eternal Perspective Ministries, wrote the following: “In Heaven, to look into God’s eyes will be to see what we’ve always longed to see: the person who made us for His own good pleasure. Serving God will be like seeing everything else for the first time.”
Surely we all look forward to that day when we also will see God, and be reunited with our loved ones.
May God grant you the full measure of His love, grace and mercy.
John
Alice what a blessing to be the last voice that Dr. Rankin heard as he crossed that rainbow ???? bridge to meet his Heavenly Father. I did not have the opportunity to share one on one time with him however many men at The House Where Jesus Shines have shared with me how instrumental Dr. Rankin
was to their recovery and adjustment to a different choice for their lives. Alice I am praying for your PEACE????????
Mark was truly a man of God and loving husband to
my friend Alice. They had a marriage that endured
all things, the victor of time, the author of patience
and the mirror of faith that makes all things divine.
We the Davis Family especially Brandon will miss
Mark visiting and going out for lunch here in
California. Mark and Alice visited almost every
other year. We know that he is resting now and
rejoice at his promotion to heaven with the Saints
whom have gone on before him❤️
I want offer my condolences to the Rankin family at this time. It was a sad day when I learned that Mark went on to be with our Father, in heaven. He served at the Brookview Community Church, in Waco, TX. He served their faithfully. And it was during that time, that he and others, were ordained. He received his ordination as a pastor. He will truly be missed. Alice, we love you. Be blessed and encouraged……
Mark and Alice had a special bond. Anyone could see that they were soul mates. Mark will truly be missed. Alice , know that you hold a special place in my heart . I pray that the grace that surpasses all understanding covers you now and forever. Mark is where he wanted to be, in the presence of the Lord. He touched many lives with his words of encouragement and leadership.
Be blessed my friend- cherish the wonderful memories that you shared with your husband and lean on the Lord during the quiet times of sorrow. He is always available and ready to listen.
Love you , praying for your peace-
Alice, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. It was my great pleasure to have known the man that God blessed you to share your love and life with. We can all rest in the peace of knowing that our brother is now in the presence of the Lord. May God give you peace and continue to bless you. Love, your Sister in Christ.
Alice, Thank you for sharing your husband with us at Church of the Open Door. You and Mark are always full of joy and added that joy to my life. Many times Mark would pull me to a side to encourage me and gave good life enriching advise. I enjoyed being next to him on the prayer team and attending bible studies where he taught. My heart weeps with yours Alice. Our lives as Christians is to live with the goal of sharing the good news of salvation and making it home to heaven with Jesus. My brother did just that and made it home. The sad part is we are left behind to miss those gone before us. Love you much and I am praying for you and the family.
Alice,
You and Mark have a special place in our hearts. We were blessed to have dinner with you two in Waco two years ago when we visited from Maryland and then you visited us in Waldorf MD for dinner (or was it the other way around?). Even though decades went by since our days together at First Missionary Baptist Church in Lexington Park MD, it was like little time went by. We knew you two genuinely loved people. We’re sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and bless our memories of Mark.
We love you,
James and Bridgette Harris
Alice,
The whole Ellis were so saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Mark. I had the pleasure of working with Alice for many years and I always looked forward to having holiday events at work in which Mark would always attend and I would get to visit with him. Great Man that was always so pleasant and always concerned about how everything was going in your life. Alice and Mark helped through two very tough times when I was the primary care giver for both my parents. They and Providence allowed me to keep my parents at home and continue to work. They were called first many times instead of the doctors, again something my family will never be able to repay..but to them it was no problem at all. Last, Alice the obituary was written with so much love and compassion that really just showed your love for each other and Christ. Mark was a soldier for his country and the Lord. May God continue to wrap his arms around you and bring Mark back home!!
Love The Ellis Family
Dear Alice,
What a blessing to have so many years with your husband Mark. I fondly remember having lunch with the both of you in Maryland and his patience as he wandered through the mall with us allowing us to catch up. God has called him from labor to reward and we celebrate that today. Be encouraged and know that you are loved and supported.
Barbara Wright
Ms. Alice,
May the Peace that surpasses all understanding comfort your broken heart. On behalf of my family and the Mission Waco family, we stand with you our sister in your time of grief and loss. Please let us know how we can be of assistance. Much love, Jerrod Clark
me alice
am very sorry for your loss
Mark was a faithful person to me he showed me how to be a godley person . he w as my favorite person at the church of the open door.
from Kellie Fulbright
Alice, Liz and I have missed y’all since we moved to Abilene in April.
Just now saw this news, saddened, but know that Mark us in Glory with his Savour.
We send our love in Christ to you.
Dear Alice,
My heart aches for you and your family on the loss of your beloved Mark. What a man! You two were blessed and loved at all times. Glad that you got to travel to Cuba and someplace memorable together to celebrate 30 years. You were and are loved. May peace follow you. I miss you. Mark was very special and loved by all.
Sincere condolences,
Jan
Alice, Mark will be truly missed. Our prayers are with you, and if you need anything please let us know. Blessings, Jim and Pat ( Palice ) Hightower
Alice,
I’m so sorry to learn of Mark’s passing. You two have been a remarkable couple. Sending my thoughts and prayers. Luv ya, lady.
Sister Alice:
I’m so very sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. I haven’t seen you in a long while but please know that I am praying for you.