James LeRoy Banks

James LeRoy Banks, 77, of Bemidji, MN, died Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Bemidji, MN.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00am, Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. There will be an hour of visitation before the service. Interment will be in the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji.

He was born on December 5, 1947, in Charles City, IA, the son of William and Sophie (Brumond) Banks. He graduated from Cooper High School in Robbinsdale, MN, in 1965. In 1966 he entered the US Air Force and served until his honorable discharge in 1970. He married Karlene Jones on July 7, 1970, in Alamogordo, NM. He earned an Associate's Degree in Fluid Power from the Hennepin Technical College, and a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from the Metro State University. He worked for Boston Scientific for many years until his retirement in 2002. After decades living in the Twin Cities he and his wife moved to Bemidji, MN in 2015. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his: Daughter, Carrie (Darby) Shegrud of Bemidji, MN,

4 Grandchildren,

Sister, Beverley (Merlin) Kreger of Chetek, WI,

Brother, William (Kim) Banks of Amandale, MN,

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Karlene, and his brother Richard Banks.