Rankin Baker, Sr.

Obituary: Charles Rankin Baker, Sr., age 92, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at the N.C. Veterans Home, Salisbury, NC after six months of declining health. He was born September 6, 1921 in Cabarrus County, NC, the son of the late Maurice Baker and Nona Davis Baker. Rankin was a graduate of J.W. Cannon High School. Rankin was physical director at the Cannon Memorial YMCA in Kannapolis for over forty years. He also coached swimming and basketball. He organized and ran some all the softball and basketball leagues through the YMCA and former mill leagues. Rankin was a member of Franklin Heights Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC. In former times, he had served on the board of deacons and as a Sunday school director at one time. He was an avid swimmer and held several AAU swimming records over time and in late years participated in the Senior Swim Olympics at the YMCA. Rankin was a proud veteran having served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in the European Theatre of Operations especially in Germany. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Hileman Baker who died March 15, 2010. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Robert Earnhardt and Rev. Clint Talbert. Burial will be at a later date. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home at the funeral home prior to the service. Survivors include his two sons, Charles R. Baker, II & wife, Angela and Gary R. Baker, both of Kannapolis, NC; three grandchildren, Meredith, Justin, and Michael; and one sister, Marlene Cain of Kannapolis, NC. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Y.M.C.A., 101 YMCA Drive, Kannapolis, NC 28081. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 1:30-3:00 PM, Sunday December 1, 2013 Whitley's Funeral Home.

Service: 3:00 PM, Sunday December 1, 2013 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment: Later Date