Dr. Rankin Virgle Hitt, Jr. peacefully passed away at home surrounded by family in Richmond, Texas, on February 25, 2023, at the age of 93 years.

Born June 27, 1929, near Houston, TX, to Rankin Virgle Hitt, Sr. and Nadine Garrett Hitt, Rankin lived much of his 93 years in the S.E. Texas area. On August 16, 1957, in Dallas, he married Marylin Fae Wisseman Hitt whom he'd met while finishing his residency in General Medicine. Rankin also served in the U.S. Air Force as a Flight Surgeon. After leaving the USAF in 1960, the couple moved to Beaumont, Texas, where Rankin set up his General Medicine practice. Over his nearly 40 years of medical practice, he served the Beaumont community in a variety of capacities, including Beaumont ISD Team Doctor and Chief of Staff for St. Elizabeth Hospital. He also served as Employee Health Physician for St. Elizabeth Hospital during the last decade of his Beaumont practice. After his retirement in 1998, the couple moved to Richmond, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren. His wife, Marylin died in 2011.  Rankin relished fishing and gardening with his father growing up and discovered a new interest in hunting from his father-in-law once married. He passed these passions to his son and many of his grandchildren. Even as he honed his skills as a hunter, he was also enthusiastic about carrying on his father-in-law's legacy of making good German deer sausage to his children and grandchildren! Over the years, Rankin enjoyed various artistic pursuits, some of which he continued into his 90's. He often entertained his family with memories of his life and wrote poetry and short stories to commemorate events shared with loved ones. And as a life-long learner and an avid reader of many genres from fiction to history, he also leaves a legacy of having read the Holy Bible through at least four times and part of a fifth the last year of his life.

Rankin Hitt is survived by his children: Kathryn Melanee Hart and her husband J. Barry Hart, Jr., (Fae) Lynn Hitt Camarillo, and Rankin Virgle Hitt, III and his wife Stace' Hanna Hitt; grandchildren, Lauren Melanee Steinhaus and her husband Daniel Steinhaus, Sean Barry Hart and his wife Morgan Hart, Madelyn Anne Hart, Diana Lynn Camarillo, Austin Rankin Hitt and his wife Nicole Hitt, and Jordan Taylor Macha and her husband Shelby Macha; and ten great grandchildren: Seth, Zoey, Micah, Caleb, and Asher Steinhaus, Lars Hart, Ty and Cade Hitt, Skylor and Lane Macha. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rankin and Nadine Hitt; his wife of 54 years, Marylin Wisseman Hitt; a great grandson, Jace Steinhaus; and two great granddaughters, Darcey and Everly Hart.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to any veteran, first responder, or children's charity.

Pall Bearers: Sean Hart, Austin Hitt, Richard Johnson, Shelby Macha, Johnny Passmore, Link Robertson, Robert Smith Daniel Steinhaus

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 4th, in Hilda United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow in the Hilda Methodist Cemetery.