Lawrence "Larry" Markey Rankin January 28, 1944 – August 1, 2025

Lawrence "Larry" Markey Rankin passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, in Melbourne, Florida, at the age of 81. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Larry was raised in Henderson and attended Oak Ridge Military Academy. After graduating, he moved to Florida, where he lived in Sarasota and Fort Myers before settling in Orlando and building a vibrant life full of adventure, humor, and heart.

Larry was a proud graduate of Florida Technological University (now UCF), where President Richard Nixon delivered the commencement address at his graduation. He co-founded Florida Rent-A-Car in Orlando, running a successful rental and car sales business for many years.

Later in life, Larry embraced a new chapter as a tugboat captain, working along the eastern seaboard and in Texas and Florida. He eventually settled in Bradenton, where he lived aboard a sailboat with his beloved dog, Roxie, before moving to Rockledge.

A true social butterfly, Larry was known for his quick wit, love of sports, and passion for gambling—especially sports betting. He was a regular on the gambling boat out of Port Canaveral until his health kept him ashore.

Larry is survived by his daughters, Michele E. Rankin of Rockledge, FL, and Jennifer L. Rankin of New York, NY, and his cherished granddaughter, Gwyneth L. Mahase of New York, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a local animal shelter in Larry's memory.