David Rankin

David Arthur Rankin 65 years old, of Zanesville, died March 16 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 3, 1946 near Bremen, Hocking County, Ohio, the son of the late W. Scott Rankin and Grace L. (Thompson) Rankin. Surived by Linda Kay (Miller) Rankin, his wife of 45 years, and son, attorney D. Scott (Tammy) Rankin of Zanesville. He is Grandfather of Cassady Rae and David Connor Rankin of Zanesville. He is the brother of John S. (Joyce) Rankin of Columbus, sisters Ruth Ann (Daniel) Altmeyer of Washington Pa. and Grace Kay Rankin of Zanesville. He will be missed and long remembered by nieces and nephews, L. Casey (David) Greer jr. of Northvillle Mich., Leslie (Dimitri Buys) Rankin of Columbus Oh., Heather (Michael) Wilder and Julie (Aaron) Orlosky of Washington Pa, and his best friend George (Susan) Harvey of Zanesville. After graduating from West Muskingum High School in 1964, he began a very sucessful career in training and racing harness horses. For several years he was the leading driver and trainer at Scioto Downs Raceway in Ohio and The Meadows Raceway in Washington Pa.. He also raced throughout the Eastern U.S. and Europe. In 1990, David received the harness horsemen of the year award from the Columbus Touchdown Club. In 2011, Mr. Rankin was inducted into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall Fame. Some of his 2,646 career wins include, 16 Ohio Sire Stakes Final Championships, The American National and The Kentucky Futurity for Trotting Fillies as well as heat wins in both The Adios Pace, The Little Brown Jug, second in the final of the Little Brown Jug, and numerous other grand circuit victories. Many of Mr. Rankin's favorite grand circuit victories took place at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, where he set multiple world records during his career. Mr. Rankin also trained horses that competed over seas in Italy and Sweden, one of the horse he conditioned won the Gran Premio Lotteria in Naples, Italy, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious International events for trotting horses. Dave drove in virtually every major stake race in the sport and was well respected by his peers. There will be a small memorial service at the Mount Sterling Methodist Church at 8185 Hopewell National Rd., Hopewell, Ohio on Saturday March 24, at 1p.m., in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mount Sterling Methodist Church at P.O. Box 22, Hopewell, Ohio 43746 . Hillis & Hardwick Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. To send a personal condolence note or to sign the online register please click on the link at top of page.

David Rankin

August 3, 1946 - March 16, 2012