Diana Ranft

Diana Rosa Barrera Ranft, 82, of Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas, passed away on January 19, 2024.

Diana was born on December 2, 1941, to David and Rosa Barrera in Hidalgo, Texas. One of four children, Diana and her brothers grew up in Donna, Texas, later moving to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she graduated from W. B. Ray High School in 1960. She attended Del Mar College and eventually graduated with a degree in nursing from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

In 1962, Diana met Thomas Wayne Ranft when he was stateside while serving in the United States Navy. Diana and Tom were married on February 2, 1963, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Tom’s naval career took the couple to Hawaii, where their oldest son, James Barrera Ranft was born. In 1967, Tom and Diana moved to Possum Kingdom Lake and their youngest son, Ronald Barrera Ranft was born at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas.

By 1976, Tom was working as a Paramedic for the Irving Fire Department. Diana received her license as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Seeing a need for prehospital care in the Possum Kingdom Lake area, Tom and Diana became founding members of the Possum Kingdom Volunteer Emergency Medical Service.

Diana found this to be her calling. Diana’s passion for helping others led her to further her education at Tarleton State University, where she received a degree in nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN). She went on to work at Palo Pinto General Hospital in the emergency room. Diana served as an emergency room charge nurse for many years. She was known for being thorough, direct, and most of all, an advocate for her patients. Her ability to calm, educate, and treat her patients was unmatched. Diana retired from Palo Pinto General Hospital in 1999.

Though not needed, Diana went on to completethe many hours of training to become an EMT/Paramedic. Diana served as an RN/Paramedic on the ambulance service for over 25 years. During this time, she helped hundreds of people in their greatest times of need and helped educate many students who went on to pursue careers in the medical field.

While Diana was most known for her time in the medical field, she was also well known as a devout Christian. She was saved as a child and attended church at Abundant Life Church in Graford, Texas. Her love for the Lord was no secret and she could often be seen ministering to her friends, neighbors and even strangers in the grocery store. She faithfully attended church and bible study until she was no longer able. Diana’s faith was strong, and she loved to share it with everyone.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents, David and Rosa Barrera, her brothers, David Barrera, Homer Barrera, and Rick Barrera.

Diana survived by her husband Tom Ranft; son, James Ranft, and wife Tammi; son, Ronnie Ranft, and wife Diane; grandchildren, Brant Ranft and wife Samantha, Brittany Romero and husband Ralph, TJ Ranft, and Trey Ranft; great-grandchildren, Kale, Jacey, and Blakely Ranft and Raelyn Romero.

A celebration of Diana’s life will be held at Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce on February 3, 2024, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.