Colonel Jerry R. Rankin, USAF (Retired), 87, of Crestview, Florida, passed away peacefully at 12:27 a.m. on August 23, 2026, at North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview.
Jerry was born on June 14, 1939, in Bristol, Florida, to William H. Rankin and Frances VernaDeason. He graduated as valedictorian from Hilliard High School in 1957 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The Citadel, where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1961. After a brief stint teaching school while awaiting the start of pilot training, Jerry earned his wings at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in 1963 — where he also met the love of his life, Mary Frances DeShazo of Lubbock, Texas. The two were married on July 27, 1963, at 4:00 p.m. in Lubbock, Texas, at 3513 42nd Street, beginning a marriage that would span more than 63 years.
A Life of Service
Jerry's Air Force career took him and his young family across the country and around the world. His first assignment carried him to Loring Air Force Base, Maine, where he flew B-52G Stratofortress bombers with the 70th Bombardment Squadron of Strategic Air Command, followed by a rotation to Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York, with the 528th Bombardment Squadron. He was honorably discharged from active duty on August 24, 1967.
Jerry then transferred to the Air Force Reserve at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, where he flew C-124 aircraft in support of the Military Airlift Command, flying missions in support of the Vietnam War, while also working as a structural engineer with General Dynamics on the F-111 program.
In 1971, Jerry brought his family to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, beginning what would become a 37-year federal civilian engineering career alongside his continued military service. As a civilian, he rose through the ranks of Civil Engineering — serving as Design Engineer, Chief of Design, Chief of Design and Construction, and ultimately Chief of Maintenance Engineering for the 796th Civil Engineer Squadron. He was later selected for the Air Force’s General Manager Corps in recognition of his exceptional leadership and earned numerous awards including a Special Achievement Award for Sustained Superior Performance and recognition for his role in the 46th Test Wing's Dynamic Chamber Test Area Reconfiguration Team.
Simultaneously, Jerry continued his military flying career with the 919th Special Operations Group at Duke Field, piloting C-130A and AC-130A gunships. He assumed command of the 711th Special Operations Squadron on September 4, 1982, and led the unit through years of demanding special operations missions. Promoted to Colonel, he transferred to the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, where he flew C-130 aircraft and helicopters in support of Air Rescue, the Hurricane Hunters, and Tactical Airlift missions. He went on to serve as Vice Wing Commander of the 403rd before retiring from the Air Force Reserve as a Colonel on September 23, 1991, capping a distinguished 30-year military career. Among his many honors, Jerry was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct as Vice Commander of the 403rd Tactical Airlifting from April 12, 1986, to September 22, 1991, as well as the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding leadership of the 711th Special Operations Squadron, along with a Certificate of Appreciation from President George H.W. Bush for his service to the nation. Family members recall that Jerry was also honored in Crestview as Military Member of the Year for his heroic actions in a special operations mission to rescue missionaries in South America.
Faith, Fraternity, and Service to Others
Jerry joined Woodlawn Baptist Church in Crestview on July 9, 1974, and was ordained a Deacon there on September 25, 1983, by Pastor Rayford Duck — chosen, as his certificate reads, as a man “of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” He was also a Master Mason of Okaloosa Lodge No. 312 in Niceville, Florida, and a member of the York Rite bodies of Crestview —Crestview Chapter No. 40 (Royal Arch Masons), Crestview Council No. 33 (Royal & Select Masters), and Crestview Commandery No. 25 (Knights Templar).
After retiring from federal civil service, Jerry devoted years to Baptist disaster relief work, traveling to numerous disaster sites across the country to help those in need — a continuation of the life of service that had defined his military, civilian, and church life alike. He believed deeply that people were an organization's greatest asset, and he lived that conviction out in the Air Force, at church, and at home.
Those who knew Jerry will remember his love of fishing, his joy in watching and playing sports with his children and grandchildren, his hands-on work around the house, and his heart for helping others. He was equally well known for his old-school country sayings, delivered with a twinkle in his eye — “As we say in northeast Crestview, that dog will hunt,” “This place is getting too crowded, I’m moving to Two Egg,” “You do your best and let God handle the rest,” “Never forget who you’re really working for,” and “I’m finer than the hair on a frog’s back.”
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of more than 63 years, Mary Frances Rankin, of Crestview; his four children and their spouses — Suzanne Elizabeth Bass (Michael Douglas Bass), Jerry Robert Rankin (Karen Greene Rankin), Cynthia Lynn Vigil (Elias Daniel Vigil), and James Scott Rankin(Lisa Nicole-Alley Rankin); his grandchildren, Sam Michael Bass (Alexandra Nicole Bass),Elizabeth Ann Simmons (Chasen Drake Simmons), Briana Aileen Vigil, Caitlyn Ainsley Marie Vigil, Gideon David Vigil, Gabriel Aaron Vigil, Jacob James Rankin, Wyatt Scott Rankin, and Lily-Sue Tallulah Rankin; and his great-grandchildren, Brigham Kye Simmons and Suttyn Grace Simmons. Jerry was also looking forward to the arrival of another great-grandchild, expected by Sam and Alexandra Nicole Bass on November 20, 2026.
Another of Duke's Finest,Jerry R. Rankin, who served as a Pilot and Commander in the 711th SOS, passed away on Sunday 08/23/2026 in his hometown of Crestview, Fl. Jerry was one of our most well liked and highly respected 711 SOS commanders who thoroughly enjoyed the Gunship mission and serving the people who worked for him.
After his retirement Jerry remained in Crestview and continued a life of service that had defined his military, civilian and church life alike.He believed deeply that people were an organization's greatest asset and he lived that conviction out in the Air Force, in his community, at church and at home for most of his adult life.
Another highly respected member of the Duke Family who was extremely proud of the 919th SOW, the U.S. Air Force and his Country who will truly be missed by all of us, especially his 711 SOS Aircrew Brotherhood who flew and served under him at Duke.
The visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the Woodlawn Baptist Church located at 824 North Ferdon Blvd in Crestview, FL 32536.
There will be a remembrance ceremony at 2:00pm with Full military honors followed by interment at Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery at 112 E North Ave, Crestview, FL.
