Captain Gary Allen Rankins

Captain Gary Allen Rankins, 79, passed away on September 17, 2026, with his wife by his side. Gary was born on February 23, 1947, to Tater and Mary Rankins in Shamrock, Texas.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M., Monday, September 21, 2026, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Memorial services will be at 4:00 A.M., Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Hillside Christian Church – Amarillo Northwest Campus, 600 Tascosa Rd., with Chris Condit officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Throughout his life, Gary was a very successful individual. Not only did he own, run, and manage several businesses, but he also had a skill for entrepreneurship and was best known for his “jug fishin’.”

At a young age, Gary worked in the oil field. From there, he decided to open Interstate Truck Rebuilders, Fill Sand, and Sand and Gravel, which he eventually consolidated into Rankins Company. Several years later, Gary went to work for Texas Sand and Gravel as the general manager. Due to Gary’s hard work and dedication, he was able to help save the company and allow it to continue its legacy until it was sold in 2018.

Gary was one of the, if not the, hardest workers you’ll ever meet. Aside from working, he had several hobbies. Gary became a certified scuba diver early in life. He had such a passion for it that he wanted to expand his skills and knowledge and eventually became a master scuba diver. If you knew Gary, you knew the water was a huge part of his life.

After achieving his goal of becoming a certified captain, he was able to take friends and family offshore fishing, giving them experiences they may not otherwise have been able to have. It was stated many times that Captain Gary Rankins loved to fish. If he was not working on one of his many projects or his boats, he was on his boat, the “Hit and Run,” running up and down the coast and lakes looking for the perfect spot to catch some fish.

In 1963, Gary met the love of his life, Linda Sheegog. Gary and Linda were married on May 12, 1967, and were married for 59 years. Over the years of their marriage, they created wonderful memories and a lifetime of shared experiences, such as taking multiple cruises, going to all-inclusive resorts, and bringing their boat across the Gulf.

Together, they had two daughters whom they loved more than anything in the world: Bridget (Rankins) Hare, who was unfortunately taken far too soon, and Misty (Rankins) Lower. Gary was proud of both of his daughters and always said he wouldn’t trade his two girls for anything in the world.

Over the years, Gary’s family started to grow. He was extremely proud and happy to be a grandfather to his four grandkids, a step-grandfather, and an even greater great-grandfather to four. Family meant everything to Gary. There are so many memories of Gary that will be told forever and cherished close to the hearts of everyone who knew him. Gary was known for giving anybody a chance and was especially happy to help people get back on their feet.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Tater; his mother, Mary; his daughter, Bridget; his sister, Debbie; his brother-in-law, Jerry; his great-granddaughter, Avery; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lynn and Robert Sheegog; a child whom he was unfortunately unable to meet on earth; and many cousins and friends. Most importantly, he is reunited with his daughter, Bridget, who his family knows was there at the gates to welcome him into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Those left to cherish Gary’s memory are his beloved wife of 59 years, Linda Rankins; his daughter, Misty Lower, and her husband, Scott Lower, who was his devoted son-in-law for 30 years; his four grandchildren, Destiny Carlile, Stetson Williams, Hunter Lower, and Holden Lower; step-granddaughter, Lacy Caballero, and her husband, Adam Caballero, and their two children, Dayton Montgomery and Emma Caballero; and great-granddaughter, Liberty Lynch.

He leaves behind a legacy and a lifetime of laughter, amazing memories, and skills that his family will carry on forever in their hearts.

Gary was a believer and Christ follower and always told people to turn to the Lord with anything. We know Gary is more alive now than ever before and is fishing away with his loved ones who have gone before him.

Rest peacefully, Gary. You will be deeply missed and forever cherished in our hearts, and your memory will live on.