Funeral services for Dr. Carleton D. Ranney, 90, of Leland were at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, February 18 at Leland United Methodist Church. He passed away Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Select Specialty Hospitals of Jackson. Burial was in the Leland-Stoneville Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland. Dave, as many had come to know him, had been under care for respiratory, kidney and heart failure. Dave was born in Jackson, Minnesota, his parents moved to Los Angeles, California where they were with other family members raising chickens and had an orange orchard. He later was called into the military where he joined the U.S. Air Force and went to Lakeland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He married Mary Kathryn Ransleben in 1949 then retired his military service the same year. They both moved to California where they worked and went to college. Dave and Mary later visited some friends in College Station, Texas and were so impressed with the college and faculty, he decided to attend and pursue his personal future career goals. He later graduated with his masters in 1954 and his PhD in 1956. While a student at Texas A&M, Dave became employed, part time, with the U.S. Government in the Agriculture Department. He continued his career with U.S. Government as Area Director for USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) during the 1970’s. After retirement from ARS, he went to work for Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station as Director of the Delta Research and Extension Center. He retired in April, 1994.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carleton Orion and Ada Elizabeth Ranney. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary Kathryn Ranney, of 69 years; his son, David C. Ranney and his wife, Karen L Ranney; his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Ranney; his grandson, Vincent A Russo; his sister-in-law, Geraldine Pianta; and several nieces and nephews. 

in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Dave's name to The Boy Scouts of America.