11/29/00

Thomas Rankin

Washington County law enforcement officer

Thomas "Bob" Rankin, 73, of South Franklin Township, died at 6:42 p.m. Monday, November 27, 2000, in Washington Hospital, after a five-month illness.

He was born January 20, 1927, in Republic, Fayette County, a son of Harry and Henrietta Ringer Rankin.

Mr. Rankin served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later served with the U.S. Army in peacetime.

He was a member of Houston American Legion Post 902 and a lifetime member of Carmichaels Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3419.

Mr. Rankin was a law enforcement officer for Washington County, serving as deputy constable, deputy sheriff and county detective. He formerly worked as a security guard for Glosser Brothers and as a truck driver for Gacon Construction.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

On August 15, 1970, he married Myra Merchant Barnhouse, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, Patrick Barnhouse of Raleigh, N.C.; two daughters, Teri Barnhouse Worthington of Dayton, N.C., and Theresa Cooper of Washington; four brothers, Harry Rankin Jr. of Casterville, Texas, and Donald, Ronald and James Rankin, all of Uniontown; seven sisters, Irene Crupe and Ann Phillips, both of Washington, Jane Williams of Claysville, Gladys Bush of Perryopolis, and Geraldine Fisher, Dottie Campbell and Freda Boland, all of Fairchance; two granddaughters, Danielle and Stephanie Barnhouse; and several nieces and nephews.