Edward Francis Rankin

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7. "If I can help somebody as I travel along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or a song, if I can keep somebody from traveling wrong, then my living shall not be in vain." Alma B. Androzzo. Ed Rankin, 64, was born in theBronx, N.Y. He passed away at his home on Monday, March 26, 2007, from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Wednesday, March 28, was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Visitation at First Christian Church, 8484 Old Hammond Highway, on Thursday, March 29, from 9 a.m. until service at 11:30 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Michael Karunas and Dr. Michael Elmore. Burial inRoselawnMemorial Park. Ed graduated high school from Mount St. Michael Academy, received his bachelor's degree in English literature fromIonaCollegein New York. He received a master's degree in secondary education fromHofstraUniversity, and a second master's degree in humanistic psychology fromWestGeorgiaCollege. He has lived in Baton Rougesince 1980, when he married his beloved wife, Helen. Ed was a member of Trinity Union Masonic Lodge 372, F&AM, Baton Rouge Consistory, and a member of Lagniappe Country Walk to Emmaus No. 13. An active member of First Christian Church, he taught Sunday school for more than 20 years, until his illness made it impossible to continue. He had served as a licensed lay minister for almost 10 years. Ed also served as a deacon and elder in the church and was elected elder emeritus in 2004. He was a licensed substance abuse counselor who worked atDixonMedicalCenter, Meadowwood, ConcordandCharisHospitals, and at Iberville Parish Substance Clinic during his career. While atDixonMedicalCenter, he also served as chaplain. Ed was honored to serve as a charter member of the board of LASACT Education Foundation. He often said that he was paid to see miracles. Known affectionately to his clients as "Mr. Ed," he helped them see their way to a better way of life. He was very proud of all those who worked hard and turned their lives around. During his illness, he received calls and cards from clients and friends who touched his heart so much. He is survived by his wife, Helen; his children and grandchildren, Ed and Martha Rankin and their daughters, Lexie and Olivia, Baltimore, Tom and Jamie Rankin and their son, Brenden, Indianapolis, Kelly and Jeff Lerman and their children, Rachel, Abby and Ryan, Chicago, Scott Rankin and his son, Andrew, Carbondale, Ill., Blake and Will Stevenson and their son, Paul, Walker, and Michael S. Rankin, Baton Rouge. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Bobby Phillips and wife Beth, Baton Rouge; sister-in-law, Kasey Phillips, Belmont, Calif.; and two cousins, Cathy Smith and Jim Keneally, both of New York. Ed had what he called adopted family of the heart. This includes Harry Allendorph, Scott Barbay, Kelly Carpenter, Chris Culp, Sue Grigg, Linda Trahan, Charlie Willson and his beloved pet dogs, Pepper and Missy. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edward F. and Nathalie Welsh Rankin; his wife's parents, Hal S. and Albertine E. Phillips; brother-in-law, Hal Phillips Jr.; and his stepmother-in-law, Emeline M. Phillips. The Rankin family would like to express their gratitude to their church family for all the love and support given to us throughout Ed's illness. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent in his memory to First Christian Church, 8484 Old Hammond Highway, Baton Rouge, LA70809 or Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A,Baton Rouge, LA70810.