Gerald D. Banks

Gerald Dean Banks was born on October 26, 1932 in Woodston, Kansas, the son of Charles Edward and Grace Irene Riley Banks. He died Saturday, March 19, 2011 at his home in Glen Elder, Kansas at the age of 78 years, 4 months, and 24 days.
He grew up around Cawker City, and later graduated from Cawker City High School in the Class of 1950. Following graduation, he entered the United States Navy.
After his service years, Gerald worked for Lloyd Davis and then Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. He later joined the Coast Geodetic Survey for 16 ½ years, and lived in various places including Alaska, Hawaii, and in every state west of the Mississippi River. In 1974, he joined Wilson and Company, where he worked in Salina. During that time, he worked in several places including Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He retired in 1994, and later moved to Glen Elder.
Gerald loved all kinds of sports, and spent many hours of spare time playing cards with friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty Pope; a step-son, Steve Pope; and a brother, James.
Gerald is survived by his daughter Brenda Acklin of Douglasville, GA; his son, Jeffrey Banks of Mableton, GA; four step children, Carol Sophy of Lees Summit, MO, Wally Pope and Jon Pope, both of Manhattan, and Coleen Smith of Cherokee Village, AR; a step daughter-in-law, Joanie Schmitt of Salina; two sisters, Joan Smith of Glen Elder, and Gail Dix of Stockton; 18 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be at 2:00 PM Thursday, March 24 at the McDonald Funeral Home. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Hospice.