Joseph William Ranney III

LTC Joe W. Ranney III (Ret.) of Poulsbo, Washington, died on June 14, 2025. Joe is survived by Paula J. (Coddington) Ranney, his wife of 50 years, by three children, Melissa (Trevor) Johnson, Tyler (Amanda) Ranney, and Megan (Joshua) Bell, and by 11 grandchildren.

Born on October 31, 1950, Joseph William Ranney III was the second of five sons born to Joe Ranney, Jr. and Virginia Ranney. Joe grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa and attended Abraham Lincoln High School. He graduated in 1973 from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. Joe was an accomplished and record holding long-distance runner.

After graduating from Wheaton, Joe was commissioned in the U.S. Army. He spent 28 years in the Army as a National Guard and Reserve officer. His last assignment was on the Physical Evaluation Board at Madigan, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Joe wore other hats throughout his working life. He and Paula ran a True Value hardware store in Poynette, Wisconsin in the 1980s. After Paula graduated from law school in 1990, the family moved to Poulsbo, Washington. Ever the visionary and before it was cool, Joe filled the role of “Mr. Mom” to his children.

Joe was a dedicated woodworker. He prided himself on being a “professional sawdust maker,” but truth be told, he made many beautiful pieces in wood, including pens, bowls, a cedar chest, and even a working clock with hand-made wood gears.

Another passion of Joe’s was singing. He was a classically trained bass who performed publicly and who especially loved Handel, Dvorak and Gilbert & Sullivan.

Above all, Joe’s life was marked by an unwavering faith and love for Jesus. His faith drove his love for family and people in his life. 

A service for Joe will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 28, 2025 at Gateway Fellowship, Poulsbo, Washington. Joe will be buried later at the Plover  Cemetery, Plover, Wisconsin. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dwellings Now; this fund helps build homes and changes lives for families in Roatan, Honduras. You can learn more at www.dwellingsnow.com