Paul Rankin

Paul Rankin’s Legacy:

“If I’m not back in 5 minutes, just wait longer”. This is one of the first movie lines Paul ever used on his wife, Lisah (Ace Ventura, Pet Detective).

Paul was always ready with a one-liner that could turn any moment into laughter. If you knew Paul, you knew you could count on him to quote Christmas Vacation, Monty Python, Stripes, The Jerk, My Cousin Vinny or a Will Ferrell or Jim Carrey movie at just the right time.

This endearing sense of humor was coupled with deep rooted integrity, grit, and passion for human and civil rights. He was a good human, life partner, and father.

Born October 31, 1967, in Torrejon, Spain, Paul grew up as a military kid, living in Guam and Okinawa before his family settled in Mascoutah, Illinois. Those early years taught him what it felt like to be the outsider, shaping his lifelong commitment to defending the bullied and marginalized. He was a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and vehemently spoke out against the harms dogma caused.

In Mascoutah, Paul thrived as an athlete—quarterback and senior-year co-captain of the varsity football team, pitcher for the baseball team, and a wrestler. Sports contributed to shaping the brave and gritty individual he was. He often reflected fondly on those years and the friendships he made.

He eventually settled in Fort Myers, living up to his initials—PAR—by working in the golf industry and later owning his own shop, Golf Under PAR. He married Lisah in 2000, and together they shared a life full of laughter, love and partnership. Travel was a mutual passion. Besides adding to Paul’s collection of international beer shirts, these travels gave them a greater appreciation for others’ ways of life and for each other.

The greatest joy of Paul’s life was his son, Randy. Paul would share his humor, love of music, sports and principled life. Randy, in turn, shared his love of musical theatre and improv and tender heart, which Paul embraced. As adults, they were best friends, spending hours enjoying sports, music, horror movies, and discussing the critical issues of the day, Paul helped shape another good human to leave to this world.

Paul lived his final years happy in Gainesville, Florida. Enjoying the progressive town where people could be who they were and forming some of the best friendships of his life. Special thanks to Curt, Lori, Pam, Tracy and Kiersten and Brad.

Paul is survived by his wife, Lisah Rankin; son, Randy Rankin; aunt, Joyce Rankin; and brother, David Wheeler. He is preceded in death by his father, Randy Rankin; mother, Linda Rankin; brother, Mike Wheeler; sister, Randi-Jo Rankin; and nephew, Michael Kowalski.

True to his love of science and conservation, Paul’s wishes were for a natural burial at Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, with a private memorial service to honor his life.

“You’re my boy, Blue!” (Old School)

In lieu of flowers, Paul would prefer donations in his name to:

International Myeloma Foundation
Freedom From Religion Foundation
The Human Fund (Seinfeld - Paul’s humor, once again).