Robert Whitman Ranells

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Robert Whitman Ranells, of Paris, Arkansas, passed away on December 26th 2020, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A celebration of life will be held at a later date when pandemic restrictions allow for safe travel and the gathering of loved ones. Robert was born in Plainview, Texas, to Evvie Alice and Claudie Oscar Ranells on December 19 1925. He married Frances Sue Ranells in 1946. He was a Veteran of WW II and served in the Army in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning home he enrolled in the Agriculture School in Logan County Arkansas. He later bought a family farm in Subiaco and then moved to Mountain Home, ID in 1962, where he was employed by the US Postal Service. He was a member of the Masons and coached youth baseball for many years in Mountain Home. After retiring, he and Sue returned to their beloved farm in Subiaco.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Evvie and Claudie, sisters Vera Blackburn and Mary Alice Atwood, and his wife of 73 years, Frances Sue Ranells.

Robert is survived by five children: Robert Dale Ranells (Meridian, ID), Sandra Sue Tingle (Sedona, AZ), Rhonda Joyce Durgeloh (Wasilla, AK), Melissa Jo Lawrence (Tulsa, OK), and Larry Dean Ranells (Fort Smith, AR). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.'

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020 at First Christian Church, Paris, Arkansas with interment at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Family will receive friends, 10:00 a.m. prior to the service at First Christian.