John Edward Bankert Jr.

Fairfax, Virginia – John Edward Bankert Jr., 93, of Fairfax VA passed away on January 2, 2015 with his wife and family members by his side, at The Virginian Retirement Community. Born on February 17, 1921 in Baltimore Maryland, he was the son of the late John Edward Bankert and Blanche Mae Bankert. His family heritage stems from the Westminster Maryland area and the Bankert family dates back to before the American Revolution. His ancestors are from Wachenheim Germany and reached the shores of the future United States of America on the ship Mortonhouse in August of 1728 which sailed from the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands.

John graduated from Baltimore City College (H.S.) in 1938. John continued his education at Baltimore College of Commerce and graduated in 1942 with an Accounting degree; he went on to earn his CPA. Upon the onset of WWII, he enlisted in the Army in October 1943 and served stateside in Georgia and Missouri from 1943 to 1945. Upon completion of his service obligation, he returned to the Baltimore area where he began his career in the field of accounting at Frigidaire.

In 1953 John accepted a position as an Accountant for the Chemical Corps Materiel Command. He was responsible for supervising the installation of accounting systems. In 1955 he moved on to a position as the Deputy Comptroller for the Naval Ordinance Plant where he managed 30 employees and was responsible for the full range of Comptroller functions. This experience led him to the Air Force Systems Command at Andrews Air Force Base, Washington DC, where he climbed the ladder of success. John’s satisfying and rewarding career began in 1955 as a Supervisory Systems Accountant and rose in responsibility and achievement to the level of Deputy Director of Accounting and Finance (1972-1981). In this final position he supervised the staff of three Divisions and was responsible for the command-wide accounting system, policies and procedures which were used at 25 command locations throughout the United States with resources that exceeded $14 billion annually. After retirement from the government, John worked in private industry for ANADAC Corporation. He held the position of Vice President of Finance for several years and had the pleasure to finish his career working alongside his wife Hilda.

In addition to his work in government and private industry, John owned a tax accounting service. He continued its operation after his government retirement in 1981 until he eventually sold the business. John also enjoyed real estate investment, development and home building. He supervised the building of several of his homes as well as property in Florida.

Growing up in the Baltimore area, John was an avid fan of the Orioles and the Colts and enjoyed listening to many games on the radio. He enjoyed sharing stories of his youth in Baltimore and Westminster with his family, i.e. stopping by the Hippodrome for a show on the way home from school, playing soccer in high school and stickball with his friends. John lived in the Washington DC area, both Maryland and Virginia, for much of his adult life. He was a devout Christian and knew the Bible well, attending church regularly with his family. In his retirement years he enjoyed travelling abroad with his wife Hilda. They made various trips abroad including a very memorable visit to Germany where John and Hilda share a common heritage. John also enjoyed playing golf, gardening, and trips to Ocean City, MD and was always focused on providing the very best for his family.

John is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Hilda Catherine Bankert, seven children, Mona Bankert Grim of Annapolis, MD, Frank Amorosi and wife Joanie of Falls Church, VA, Craig Amorosi and his wife Pam of Fredericksburg, VA, Tamara Amorosi of Potomac Falls, VA, Jacinta Porto and her husband Paul of Potomac Falls, VA, Brian Bankert and his wife Michelle of Ocean City, MD, and Valerie Bankert Long of Falls Church, VA, 16 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, John Stephen Bankert.

Funeral services will be held on January 9, 2015 at Murphy’s Funeral Home located in Falls Church, VA at 11 AM. Visitation for friends and relatives will be held 1 hour prior to the service. John will be buried at St. Benjamin’s Lutheran Church (Krider) Cemetery in Westminster, MD.

In lieu of flowers to the family, Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the American Heart Fund or The American Macular Degeneration Foundation.