Colonel Jimmy C. Banks, U.S. Army (Ret.)

June 24, 1943 – January 20, 2026

Colonel Jimmy Charles Banks, United States Army (Retired), passed away surrounded by family on January 20, 2026, at Baylor Scott & White Continuing Care Hospital in Temple, Texas, at the age of 82. He was a longtime resident of Harker Heights, Texas.

Jimmy was born on June 24, 1943, in Sulphur, Oklahoma, to Bonnie Banks and J.C. Banks.

He enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 16 in 1959 and served his country with distinction for 37 years, rising from Private to full Colonel. His extraordinary career placed him in leadership roles around the world and across multiple conflicts. He served as an Aero Scout Platoon Sergeant with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam, led paratroopers during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, commanded an Infantry Battalion on the Korean Demilitarized Zone, and conducted Special Operations missions during Desert Storm.

Colonel Banks served as the final commander of the Berlin Brigade in Germany and ceremonially cased the brigade colors alongside President Bill Clinton in July 1994, marking the end of a historic chapter in U.S. Army history.

His numerous military awards and decorations include three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, six awards of the Air Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Army Aviator Badge. He was a graduate of the Army’s Officer Candidate School, the Army Aviator Qualification Course, the United States Army War College, and the British High Command and Staff College.

His military assignments took him and his family around the globe, including Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Korea; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Shafter, Hawaii; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Berlin and Heidelberg, Germany. He completed his final assignment at Fort Leavenworth before retiring from active duty in 1996 and relocating to Central Texas.

Following retirement, Jimmy began a second career as a government contractor, continuing his lifelong commitment to supporting the military alongside fellow retired soldiers and officers. He retired for a second time fifteen years later, at the age of 75.

Beginning his military service without a high school diploma, Jimmy exemplified perseverance and self-determination. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree from Troy State University in Alabama and a Master’s degree from Webster University in Kansas.

Service—to his country, his soldiers, and his family—defined Jimmy’s life. He made many life long friends throughout his career that quickly became family. He never once put himself first, prioritizing the well-being and happiness of those around him. His one personal indulgence was golf, a passion that began in Hawaii and grew into a love of building his own clubs and equipment, often crafting them for others as well.

Jimmy met the love of his life, Delores, and together they built a family rooted in love and commitment. They were married on December 5, 1963, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and remained devoted to one another throughout their lives. Together they instilled within their children and grandchildren a strong work ethic and a sense of belonging; encouraging them to follow their dreams.

Survived by his sons, Steven Hornback and Richard Hornback, and his daughter, Kelli Banks-Hanewich (Michael); grandchildren, Shelby Cooper (Brad), Darylanne Blancaflor, Amy Hornback, and Brendon Blancaflor; great-grandchildren, Adaleigh, Charlie, and Max; his brother, Ronnie Banks (Camille); and his sister-in-law, Heidi Banks, widow of his late brother, Louis Banks; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Delores Banks; granddaughter, Brianne Blancaflor; brother, Louis Banks; sisters, Shirley Robinson, Diana Troyer, and Kathy Judkins; and his parents, Bonnie Banks and J.C. Banks.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (www.stjude.org).

Visitation will be held at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas, on February 10, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas, on February 11, 2026, starting at 12:00 pm.

A graveside service with full military honors will be conducted at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas, on February 11, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

The final resting place will be Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.