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BORN
1944
DIED
2024
Ross Banister Obituary
February 25, 1944 - July 23, 2024
Fresno, California - Ross lived longer than anyone with a 2 pack-a-day habit had any right to. In fact, it seemed like he packed more than one life into his 80 years, at various times holding the titles of football running back (Fresno Bulldog class of '67), pool shark, pilot, counselor, Indian medicine man, theologian, substance abuse counselor, homeless advocate, brother, uncle, husband, and father.
Throughout his many lives, Ross had a heart for the outsider, the addicted, and the down on their luck. Ross was 42 years, 8 months, and 11 days sober on the day of his death thanks to the 12 steps and the support of his Alcoholics Anonymous brethren. He earned a Doctor of Divinity degree with a dissertation titled, "A Faith Based Integrated Recovery Program: From Addiction to New Identity." He worked with the homeless and addicted in Texas, Oklahoma, Vancouver, Roseburg (Oregon), and Fresno.
There will be a celebration of the many lives of Ross Banister at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at The Word Community Church at 4710 N Polk Ave, Fresno, CA 93722.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ross Banister
2 Entries
John Blake
August 26, 2024
I met Ross in 1990. He was featured on the front page of The Oklahoman newspaper as the turtle medicine man from Bengal Mountain in southeast Oklahoma. I was intrigued by the article, cut it out, and placed it in my desk drawer. A month later I was hosting an organizational meeting at my home 150 miles from Bengal Mountain. A group of us were planning our first of what was to be many trips to South Dakota for a Lakota Sundance ceremony. Ross walked in. I recognized him immediately. We became fast friends. My wife and I participated with him in many ceremonies over the next 10 years. We eventually lost touch as we moved in different directions. It has been 24 years since that parting. In the past month my wife Susanne and I have been reminiscing about our adventures with Ross. Today I decided to search online for any current information I might find on him . To my sad surprise I came across this obituary and the news that he had moved on in July, just when we had begun discussing him. Ross, Susanne, and I had a special connection. His coming and going have been bookends in an extraordinary journey we have taken together. He will be missed but he continues to live in the Ross stories we still tell around the campfire. John Blake
Bob Freed
August 20, 2024
In memory of a wonderful human being. It´s been many years since I have seen him, but I have kept up on his activities and know his great qualities stayed with him to the end of his time here.
May you be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life/lives well lived.
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