Harold Banks

Harold "Dean" Banks, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and his loving wife on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Dean was born June 9, 1935, in Paradise, TX, to Alvin and Gladys Banks. He was one of eight children.

He grew up on a farm in central Texas and knew early on the benefits of hard work and always lending a hand.

He met the love of his life, Shirley, on a blind date in the fall of 1953. They fell in love and got married on October 16, 1954, in Decatur, TX.

Dean had a couple of jobs as a married man such as selling butane gas, but found his true vocation when two of his brothers-in-law assisted him in building Shirley and his first home in Krum, TX.

They ended up building two homes in Texas while Shirley blessed him with four children there. In 1962, they decided to make a move to Reno, NV, where they had two more children.

Dean eventually worked with his brother, Benny, at Benny Banks Construction for many years in the Reno area until he retired in June 1990.

Dean and Shirley built a wonderful life in the Reno/Sparks area and had many friends and happily raised their six children there.

They enjoyed bowling, square dancing, camping, and hosting many dinner parties. They also loved traveling. Every summer they loaded up the kids in the family station wagon for a vacation. ~Usually, it was to visit family back in Texas, but there was the occasional year they ventured to the Oregon coast, British Columbia, or the New England area.

When they retired, they traveled to almost every state in the United States and several European countries. Needless to say, they enjoyed many adventures together!

Dean is survived by his loving wife, of over 70 years, Shirley; six children, Theresa White (Bill), Greg Banks (Susan), Melissa Kimball (Marc), Melanie Stroub, DeAnn Moratto (Tom), and Katie Rieckers (Paul); nineteen grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; two siblings; nieces; nephews; and cousins.

Dean had such a vibrant, fun-loving personality and enjoyed telling jokes and making people laugh.

He loved helping all his children and grandchildren with home repairs and projects. He could fix anything.

He loved country music, his cowboy boots and hats, and he especially loved ice cream! He will be so greatly missed by everyone that knew and loved him. He has touched so many lives.