Leonard "Bud" Rankin

Funeral services for Leonard "Bud" Rankin will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from the sanctuary of Tullos First Baptist Church, Tullos, LA, with his son, Bro. Brian Rankin officiating and Bro. Scott Smith assisting. Interment will follow at New Union Cemetery, Tullos, under the direction of Riser and Son Funeral Home, Olla. The family will have a visitation at the church for family and friends on Monday, January 1, 2023, from 5 PM until 8 PM, and again Tuesday prior to the service from noon until 2 PM.

Leonard "Bud" Murray Rankin was born October 8, 1931, in Tullos, Louisiana, to the union of his parents, William Rankin and Julia Ann Steen Rankin, and he passed from this life December 29, 2023, at his home in Tullos. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Annell Rankin; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Rankin; and siblings, John Donald Rankin and Mary Ann Sagdhal. Bud proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy for four years. He enjoyed learning and sharing his knowledge with others, which naturally led to his being a teacher. He had 32 years in the classroom, working in the LaSalle Parish school system. He was also a Sunday School teacher for over 25 years at Tullos First Baptist Church, where at 92, he was currently the oldest church member. He loved his church family and was a very active member through the years. Bud enjoyed reading, fishing and the excitement of hunting with deer dogs. He was a huge LSU sports fan. It didn't matter what sport it was, he was cheering on his Tigers. He was loved and will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ann Gilbert Rankin; sons: John David Rankin (Cheryl) and Bro. Brian Rankin (Joy); step-daughters: Shannon Sanders, Shonda Sanders, and Susan Sanders; grandchildren: Kristy Varner (Jason), Jamin Rankin (Carly), Emily Rankin, John Garrett Rankin, Jaden Sanders, Sierra Sanders, Duran Muniz, Shenaya Muniz, Jared Sanders, Shayna Sanders, Javad Woodward, and Shamari Thomas; as well as fourteen great-grandchildren and numerous extended family members.

Serving as pallbearers will be Buck Borland, Chris Morrow, John Garrett Rankin, Jamin Rankin, Jimmy Arbogast, and Jason Varner. Honorary pallbearers are Jaden Sanders, Jonah Varner, Jeremiah Varner, and Clint Atkins.