Gary Lee Rankel

Gary received his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin and his M.S. in Fisheries Management from the University of Idaho where he conducted research on depleted trout populations. He worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and participated in an effort to restore endangered cutthroat trout in Nevada, and established a Fisheries Assistance Office in Arcata California where he served as project leader of the Klamath River Salmon and Steelhead Investigation Program. Gary worked for the Dept. of Interior - Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington D.C. where he administered a national program overseeing tribal fish, wildlife and outdoor recreation resources as well as Indian hunting, fishing and gathering rights.

In 2003, he was awarded the Chief Sealth Award for outstanding contributions toward the preservation, protection, and prudent conservation of this Nations vital fish and wildlife resources by the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society.

He retired to Hernando Florida with his wife Avis, close to great fresh and saltwater fishing. He created the Nature Coast Kayak Fisher’s website and was an advocate for protecting fishing habitats in the area. He published a book on Kayak fishing in Citrus County which included maps and tips to guide kayak fishing enthusiasts in the area.

Gary was also an avid Green Bay Packer fan and a Packer stakeholder (his fishing kayak was named “PackerYaker”), and he was happy to treat family members to games near the 50 yard line at Lambeau field. Gary was very generous…he planned a trip with his Scottish family and friends to the Scottish Highlands to celebrate his wife Avis’s 60th birthday.

Gary is survived by his wife Avis, Avis’s sons Grant Buist (his wife Louise) and Craig Buist, grandchildren Amy and Megan Buist, sister Kay Rankel and her husband Joe, extended family members Marci Caird, Jay and Mason Caird, many nieces and nephews, and good friends Greg and Trish Derman.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Norma Rankel, and sister Jill Ardis.