Cecil Edward Banks Sr.

Cecil Edward Banks Sr.
August 21, 1929 – September 18, 2012


"Together Again"

Cecil Ed Banks Sr. "Pop", one of eight children, was born in Merced, CA and passed away peacefully after a long battle with COPD at Guardian Angel Home Care II in Atwater at the age of 83.

Pop graduated from Merced High in 1948, married Gloria Nannette Jones and continued his career as an auto repair mechanic in Daly City and San Jose. In 1972 he returned to the valley and began Banks' Safety Service in Atwater which is still family owned and operated. For the next 40 years Pop devoted himself to his own family of 8, becoming a successful businessman, the community of Atwater, and numerous fund raising events for the Atwater Falcons.

Pop considered himself one of the ultimate 49er Faithfull and was extremely proud of his San Francisco 49ers team. When his health permitted, Pop loved his yearly visits to the state of Washington and enjoyed fishing, Scrabble, and Jeopardy. He will be remembered as being quite the prankster and joke teller.

Pop was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Nannette "Boots" Banks in November 2004; parents, Walter and Lorene Banks; brothers, Thomas, Raymond and Vernon Banks; sisters, Virgie Banks Meehan, Mary Banks Sabato, and Ellen Banks Pittser.

He leaves behind his sister, Elaine Banks Jordan of Nevada; 8 children: Nannette (Michael) Sutter of Auburn, Cecil "Ed" (Daria) Banks Jr. of Atwater, Collette (Jonathan) Turner of Mariposa, Suzzette (David) Norris of Merced, Claudette (Brian) Lee of Modesto, Babbette (Frank) Tyler of Squeim, WA, Paullette (Bil) Donnelly of Kettle Falls, WA, and John (Denice) Banks of Atwater; grandchildren, Michelle (Michael) Gregson, Russell (Amy)Banks, Katie (Rayce) Zamarripa, Jesse (Halle)Turner, Bryce Turner and Kyle (Kamrin) Turner, Jason , Sarah, and Daniel Norris, Jane and Ellen Lee, Jennifer (Dale) Melton, John Hauser, Jacqueline Hauser, Timothy Tyler, Leah (Travis) Kries, Blake (Sammi) Donnelly, Evan (Heidi) Donnelly, AJ and Rachel Banks; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Pop's family would like to thank the staff at Guardian Angel Home Care II for the love, support and care that they provided over the last few years to Pop and his family. The family would also like to appreciate all the care given by Dr Kim, Dr. Fuh, and Dr. Patel, and their staff.

A recitation of Rosary will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 22, 2012 followed by a Mass at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Winton Way, Atwater, CA.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Chapel. For a complete obituary and service information please visit www.stratfordevansfunerals.com