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    • A Delaware man put family first before “erratic” driver fatally struck him
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    A Delaware man put family first before “erratic” driver fatally struck him

    Online Niel Posted on

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    When it came to turtles, Danny Rankin Jr. didn’t discriminate.

    Box turtles, spotted turtles, terrapins – even snapping turtles. If the 40-year-old saw one on the road or otherwise risked injury, he would move it to a safer location.

    Rankin’s family isn’t sure when his affinity for reptiles began, but they were adamant. And while it may seem like a childish fascination to some, his family said it makes perfect sense.

    “He liked the turtles because he always said they were helpless,” said Rankin’s 23-year-old son, Danny Rankin III. He is called “Little Dan”.

    “He said, ‘It moves very slowly; they’re not predators,’” Little Dan said. “They were all turtles, all shapes and sizes.”

    For the past 10 months, the Delaware Turtles have been a little less secure without Rankin. That’s thanks to a 37-year-old man who police say got behind the wheel of his car on the evening of Jan. 24 while under the influence of drugs.

    Henry Harmon of Dover was driving a Kia Soul “in an erratic manner” on Route 13 in Townsend when he hit Rankin around 5:20 p.m., police said.

    Rankin, a fitness enthusiast who had been training for a 50-kilometer Spartan Race, was out jogging, said his wife, Danielle Rankin. Police said he was wearing bright, reflective clothing at the time.

    “He only had a 3-mile run to do that day,” Danielle lamented.

    Rankin died at the scene of the accident. Harmon, who had a woman and a 4-year-old child in the car, was initially charged with driving under the influence of a drug, possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance, driving with a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.

    In June, his charges were upgraded to manslaughter and reckless endangerment, both felonies, felony endangering the welfare of a child and five counts of trafficking. He is due to go on trial next month.

    While Rankin’s family and loved ones mourn their turtle-loving husband, father and friend, they also take comfort in the fact that Rankin “lived her life to the fullest — and died with no regrets,” Danielle said.

    Making a “difference in everyone’s life”

    Neither Rankin nor his wife had particularly easy childhoods. Both came from “broken homes,” Danielle said, with her husband living largely on his own until he was 16.

    So when the high school sweethearts found out Danielle was pregnant when she was 16 and Rankin was 17, they scrambled to make sure their budding family broke the mold.

    “We just wanted something else for our kids,” Danielle said.

    They received differently.

    The day after Little Dan was born, Rankin was to graduate. Even with Danielle still in the hospital with their son, Rankin made it to the stage. Since then, it had been “grinding,” Danielle said.

    At 18 and 19, the couple bought a house together. When their now 19-year-old daughter, Delani, was born a few years later, Rankin worked harder.

    At the time, he was employed by a sprinkler company. However, he did odd jobs – both to make sure his family had everything they needed, but also because he just loved to work.

    Then, in 2011, Rankin and Danielle formed a roofing company, Kirkin Exteriors. It has since expanded to offer numerous other outdoor living services.

    Although the business did very well for itself, Danielle said Rankin was never focused on the money. He really liked to be busy, which meant that “whenever he was doing something, he was 110 percent,” she said.

    His ultimate “why,” Danielle said, was her; Little Dan; their 19-year-old daughter, Delani’; and later, the two children they sheltered and then adopted.

    “He always said, ‘I wouldn’t be doing any of this if it wasn’t for you and the kids,'” Danielle said.

    However, Rankin showed just as much concern for his employees.

    Starting about seven years ago, the couple began hosting annual company-wide vacations.

    Rankin could have happily handed out holiday bonuses, Danielle said. But her husband wanted to give employees memories and joy, rather than money they could spend paying credit card bills or other less pleasant things.

    For four days, the entire company would head to an all-inclusive resort. The business is “like a family,” Danielle said, so they’ll bring their kids and all get away from life for a bit.

    “That was important to him — he wanted to make memories with his people,” Danielle said.

    Rankin’s care extended beyond those he knew well.

    Like helpless turtles, he never stopped if he saw someone in need.

    On several occasions, Little Dan and Danielle both said he would pick up a homeless person on the side of the road and take them to lunch. “It was just the norm,” said Little Dan, a smile in his voice.

    “It didn’t have to be done and it wasn’t in his schedule, but it was something he did,” he said. “He lived his life not only to serve his family, but to make an overall difference in the lives of everyone he touched and crossed paths with.”

    In honor of Rankin’s love of fitness and desire to give back, the family is hosting a 5K race on Saturday, November 16 at Midnight Oil Brewing Co. from Glasgow. All proceeds will benefit the Delaware Wrestling Alliance, an organization dear to the hearts of Rankin and his sons.

    The race will start at 9am with a post-run beer garden celebration. For more information or to register, visit runsignup.com/Race/DE/Newark/DanRankinMemorial5K.

    Do you have a tip? Submit to Isabel Hughes at [email protected] or 302-324-2785. For all the latest news, follow X at @izzihughes_

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