Ralph
Ralph Banks
Ralph Banks, 90, of Forest, passed away on February 22, 2012 at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital Skilled Nursing Center. Mr. Banks was born January 7, 1922 in Tennessee and was preceded in death by his mother, Dora Banks Elliott and step-father L. J. Elliott. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Sadie M. Johnson Banks, one brother, J. R. Banks and three sisters, Oma Banks, Ada Sink, and Kathleen Elliott.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Mary C. Banks, one son, Gregory R. Banks of Ashburn, VA., one daughter, Paula L. Banks Saihati of Manasses, VA, two brothers: Holly Banks (Ferne) of Baltimore, MD, and Edward M. Elliott of Bean Station, TN; one sister, Mildred Jo Grindstaff of Corbin, KY; seven grandchildren: Angela M. Smith (Steve) of Astoria, NY, Jennifer Joy Benedict of Studio City, CA, Rebeca Banks Ford (Eric) of Ashburn, VA, Sami A. Saihati of Saihat, Saudi Arabia, Sara A. Saihati of Rock Springs, WY, Michael G. Banks of Australia, and David A. Saihati of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; two great-grandchildren: Gavin Smith and Harper Mae Smith of Astoria, NY.
Mr. Banks attended the University of Tennessee from 1941 to February, 1943 at which time he was inducted into the Army Air Corp program. He completed 35 missions as a bombardier/navigator over enemy territory. He was awarded a Certificate of Valor in recognition of his courageous service in aerial combat. Mr. Banks was also awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters to this medal. Campaign medals included European-African-Middle Eastern Bronze Battle Participation Star for the Italian Campaign.
College was completed at the University of the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, with a degree in Mine Engineering in 1948. He was vice-president of the Student Chapter of Mines and Metallurgy. This university is now known as Missouri Science and Technology, Rolla, MO.
Mr. Banks was a 40-year employee of the Inland Steel Coal Co., with 20 years of service in Wheelwright, KY and 20 years of service in southern Illinois, Sesser, Ill. Mines. He was employed as safety engineer and did early work in respirable dust particles and he had national championships in Mine Rescue and First Aid Teams, as well as many other facets of the coal industry. He retired in May, 1985 as manager of Governmental Affairs.
Mr. Banks was active in the Coal Mining Section of the National Safety Council, serving as Chairman of the Engineering Committee, Research and Development Committee and as General Chairman of the Coal Mining Section. He also served as the Chairman of the Southern Illinois Mining and Metallurgy, Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, Chairman of the Mine Inspectors Institute of American, and he was a member of the National Management Association for three years.
He was a charter member and secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Beaver Valley, KY., Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee of the Lonesome Pine Council of Boy Scouts of America, in KY., as well as OKA Boy Scout Council of America in Mt. Vernon, IL. on the Eagle Scout Board of Review in IL.. He served on the United Way Board of Directors in Mt. Vernon, IL. for many years. He also served as a board member of the District 80 Schools for 5 years. Mr. Banks was a member of the Rotary Club in Mt. Vernon, IL. and also was a 20 year member of the Lynchburg Rotary with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award and was twice made a Kentucky Colonel.
Mr. Banks was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Mt. Vernon, IL, and Forest United Methodist Church and served in numerous leadership positions.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Forest United Methodist Church, 1150 Burnbridge Road, Forest, with the Rev. William Burleigh officiating. Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park, Forest. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 16.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Forest United Methodist Building Fund, 1150 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA 24551, \"Grumpy Old Men\" of Forest United Methodist Church, Food for Hungry Program, Forest United Methodist Church, Rotary Polio Plus Program, Lynchburg Rotary Club, or the D-Day Memorial, Bedford, VA.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Mary C. Banks, one son, Gregory R. Banks of Ashburn, VA., one daughter, Paula L. Banks Saihati of Manasses, VA, two brothers: Holly Banks (Ferne) of Baltimore, MD, and Edward M. Elliott of Bean Station, TN; one sister, Mildred Jo Grindstaff of Corbin, KY; seven grandchildren: Angela M. Smith (Steve) of Astoria, NY, Jennifer Joy Benedict of Studio City, CA, Rebeca Banks Ford (Eric) of Ashburn, VA, Sami A. Saihati of Saihat, Saudi Arabia, Sara A. Saihati of Rock Springs, WY, Michael G. Banks of Australia, and David A. Saihati of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; two great-grandchildren: Gavin Smith and Harper Mae Smith of Astoria, NY.
Mr. Banks attended the University of Tennessee from 1941 to February, 1943 at which time he was inducted into the Army Air Corp program. He completed 35 missions as a bombardier/navigator over enemy territory. He was awarded a Certificate of Valor in recognition of his courageous service in aerial combat. Mr. Banks was also awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters to this medal. Campaign medals included European-African-Middle Eastern Bronze Battle Participation Star for the Italian Campaign.
College was completed at the University of the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, with a degree in Mine Engineering in 1948. He was vice-president of the Student Chapter of Mines and Metallurgy. This university is now known as Missouri Science and Technology, Rolla, MO.
Mr. Banks was a 40-year employee of the Inland Steel Coal Co., with 20 years of service in Wheelwright, KY and 20 years of service in southern Illinois, Sesser, Ill. Mines. He was employed as safety engineer and did early work in respirable dust particles and he had national championships in Mine Rescue and First Aid Teams, as well as many other facets of the coal industry. He retired in May, 1985 as manager of Governmental Affairs.
Mr. Banks was active in the Coal Mining Section of the National Safety Council, serving as Chairman of the Engineering Committee, Research and Development Committee and as General Chairman of the Coal Mining Section. He also served as the Chairman of the Southern Illinois Mining and Metallurgy, Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, Chairman of the Mine Inspectors Institute of American, and he was a member of the National Management Association for three years.
He was a charter member and secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Beaver Valley, KY., Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee of the Lonesome Pine Council of Boy Scouts of America, in KY., as well as OKA Boy Scout Council of America in Mt. Vernon, IL. on the Eagle Scout Board of Review in IL.. He served on the United Way Board of Directors in Mt. Vernon, IL. for many years. He also served as a board member of the District 80 Schools for 5 years. Mr. Banks was a member of the Rotary Club in Mt. Vernon, IL. and also was a 20 year member of the Lynchburg Rotary with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award and was twice made a Kentucky Colonel.
Mr. Banks was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Mt. Vernon, IL, and Forest United Methodist Church and served in numerous leadership positions.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Forest United Methodist Church, 1150 Burnbridge Road, Forest, with the Rev. William Burleigh officiating. Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park, Forest. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 16.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Forest United Methodist Building Fund, 1150 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA 24551, \"Grumpy Old Men\" of Forest United Methodist Church, Food for Hungry Program, Forest United Methodist Church, Rotary Polio Plus Program, Lynchburg Rotary Club, or the D-Day Memorial, Bedford, VA.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph Banks, please visit our flower store.
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