Glasker Rankin Jr., 1954- 2005

This year, Sisters’ community suffered a terrible loss, when Glasker Rankin, our Cashier, died.  Glasker was beloved and inspirational to staff, customers, volunteers and supporters alike.  We are so proud of him, and we want to share his story with you.


“I ran in to someone the other day and he said to me, ‘Last time I saw you – you robbed me man.’ I didn’t want to admit it – but it was true. That’s not me today and it’s embarrassing and hard to hear – but I know I have to admit and say I’m sorry.  When I see someone I hurt in my past, I apologize.  We go out to coffee and talk about it.  I say, ‘Will you accept my apology and if you don’t I will understand?’”


Glasker Rankin was the cashier at Sisters Of The Road, the first person our customers interacted with as they ordered their food – the person who asked new customers their name and welcomed them to Sisters.  Glasker was the first to tell you that he was one of the scariest guys on the Portland streets in the 70’s and 80’s. 



“I weighed 210 lbs, was cut and would walk around with my shirt off to intimidate people.  I would beat anyone up who even looked at me wrong.”


Glasker spent much of his life incarcerated for drug use, stealing and assault.  In his 20’s, 30’s and 40’s he was behind bars, on and off for several years at a time.  Three of Glasker’s siblings and his mother died while he was in prison. 


“It was so hard because there was nothing I could do. I was so devastated and I had put myself there. It wasn’t how I was raised to behave, but I just couldn’t find any hope. For so long I wanted to stop, but I didn’t know how.”


In 1983 Glasker was almost convicted under the lifetime criminal law in Oregon, which would have sent him to prison with no chance of parole for the rest of his life. 


“I was too ashamed to even be around my family, to have them see how I was living.”


In 1997 Glasker went to a friend who had gotten clean and asked him what he had to do to also get clean and stay that way.


“I went in to a clean and sober program but I only lasted 6 months because of my problems with authority.  I was back out on the street.  The second time I tried to get clean, I thought about all the people who care about me and about everyone I was hurting.  I went into a better fitting recovery program – and stayed put. “


Glasker first became cashier in 1998. 


“I knew that God had a different plan for me and Sisters was part of that plan.  Now I’m in the position of helping so many people everyday, and it helps them when I tell my story and show them how it can be different.”


He had his photo on the cover of the Metro section of The Oregonian two times in the past 5 years for his work at Sisters.


“I have people who come to me in the Café and say, ‘Man, if you can do it, so can I.’ I used to go in the Café and cause chaos.  One time Genny had to call the police on me.  After I had been in recovery for some time, Steel approached me about a job opening.  I thought it was a trick to get me back for the problems I caused at Sisters, but of course it wasn’t and they even helped me with my resume for the job. It was a $1.50 an hour raise over the job I was at.

My job really helps me. That’s what life is really about –doing something for yourself and for others – both.  And Sisters teaches people to be responsible for themselves – to pay or work a little and be a part of the solution.”


Glasker died clean and sober on February 7, 2005, but at Sisters we feel his spirit with us every day.
Last updated on Aug 04, 2005 at 01:19 PM

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