A Delaware man put his family first before an "erratic" driver fatally struck him

When it came to turtles, Danny Rankin Jr. no distinction.

Box turtles, spotted turtles, terrapins – even snapping turtles. If the 40-year-old saw one on the road or was otherwise at risk of being injured, he would move it to a safer location.

Rankin’s family isn’t sure when his affinity for the reptiles began, but it was unwavering. And while it may have seemed like a childish fascination to some, his family said it made perfect sense.

“He loved turtles because he always said they were helpless,” said Rankin’s 23-year-old son, Danny Rankin III. His name is ‘Little Dan’.

“He said, ‘They’re moving super slow; they are not predators,” Little Dan said. “They were all turtles, in all shapes and sizes.”

Over the past 10 months, Delaware’s turtles have been slightly less safe without Rankin. This is thanks to a 37-year-old man who, according to the police, got behind the wheel of his car under the influence of drugs on the evening of January 24.

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

Rankin, a fitness fanatic who had been training for a 30-mile Spartan Race, was jogging, said his wife, Danielle Rankin. Police said he was wearing brightly colored, reflective clothing at the time.

“He only had to run 3 miles that day,” complained Danielle.

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

In June, his charges were upgraded to manslaughter and reckless endangerment, both felonies, a misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, and five traffic charges. He will appear in court next month.

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

Making a ‘difference in everyone’s life’

Neither Rankin nor his wife had a particularly easy childhood. Both came from “broken homes,” Danielle said, with her husband living mostly on his own by the time he was 16.

That’s why, when the high school sweethearts learned that Danielle was pregnant when she was 16 and Rankin was 17, they did everything they could to make sure their budding family broke the mold.

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

Otherwise they got.

The day after Little Dan was born, Rankin was scheduled to graduate. Even with Danielle still in the hospital with their son, Rankin managed to walk across the stage. He had been grinding ever since, Danielle said.

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

He was working at a sprinkler company at the time. Still, he took on some part-time jobs – both to ensure that his family had everything it needed, but also because he simply enjoyed working.

Rankin and Danielle then founded a roofing company in 2011, Kirkin Exteriors. It has since expanded to include numerous other remote home services.

Although the company has done very well, Danielle said Rankin was never focused on the money. He really enjoyed being busy, which meant that “every time he did something, it was 110%,” she said.

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

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

Yet Rankin showed just as much care for his employees.

About seven years ago, the couple started organizing annual company-wide vacations.

Rankin could have happily handed out holiday bonuses, Danielle said. But her husband wanted to give the employees memories and fun, instead of money they would spend on paying credit card bills or on other less fun things.

For four days, the entire group would go to an all-inclusive resort. The business is “like a family,” Danielle said, so they would bring their kids and all escape from life for a while.

“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 the helpless turtles, he always failed to pause when he saw someone in need.

More than once, Little Dan and Danielle both said he picked up a homeless man on the side of the road and took them to lunch. It “was just the norm,” Little Dan said with a smile in his voice.

“It didn’t need to be done and it didn’t fit into his schedule, but it was something he did,” he said. “He lived his life not just to serve his family, but to make an overall difference in everyone’s lives he touched and crossed.”

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

The race starts at 9 a.m., followed by a party in the brewery. For more information or to register, visit runsignup.com/Race/DE/Newark/DanRankinMemorial5K.

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