Larry Donald Banks

Paradise ~ Larry Donald Banks, 80, went to be with our Lord Monday, December 17, 2018, in Bedford.

Funeral is 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2018, at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel Decatur with burial in Antelope Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

Gerre Joiner will officiate. Pallbearers include Nathan Banks, Bryn Banks, Paul Pasichnyk, Rodney McCollum, Sam Parker, and Mike Ramsey.

Larry was born on October 18, 1938, to Weldon and Callie “Jim” (Dicken) Banks in Dallas, Texas. He was united in marriage to Billie Rhea Fry on December 17, 1964, in Dallas. Larry retired as an archeologist. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. Larry proudly served his country in the United States Navy in Attack Squadron VA-76 “Spirits” during the maiden voyage and Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He was senior archeologist of United States Army Corps of Engineers 1970-1993. Larry was Adjunct Professor of UTA and SMU. He was recipient of 2nd John F. Seiberling award. Larry was past president of Register of Professional Archeologists. He was a research associate of Smithsonian Institution. Larry graduated from West Texas State University in 1961 with B.S. geology.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Darrell Banks.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Billie Banks of Paradise; his son, Nathan Banks of Royal, Arkansas; his daughters, Rachel Banks of Paradise, Stephanie McCollum and husband Rodney of Paradise; his grandchildren, Paul Pasichnyk, Kathryn Banks, and Bryn Banks; his great grandchild, Lucy Pasichnyk; his sisters, Brenda Eubanks of Clifton, Texas, Mary Banks of London, England; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.