Sam Paul Banks

He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Benjamin Banks and Pearl Gipple Banks, an older brother, Dale Banks, and a sister, Marjorie Brown Creamer, all of Benton County, Bentonville, Arkansas.

Sam graduated from Hiwasse High School. With America about to enter World War II he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941. A fast student of aviation Sam flew P-51s, F-86s and many other types of aircrafts. In fact it was said: “Give Sam any type of plane on this earth and in a day or two he could fly it!” Sam was an avid student and teacher of all who loved to fly. After serving bravely through World War II and the Korean conflict, he continued his service to his country for many years through the Air Force Reserves. He was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration and Administrator of the Raleigh Federal Aviation office until 1967.

Upon his return from World War II he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy. He and Dot raised their children in Raleigh and were faithful members of St. Paul’s Christian Church. Sam was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Cary where he was Past Master in 1979.

He is survived by Dorothy and their four children: John Patrick Banks and wife, Mildred of Fincastle, Virginia; Mark Banks, of Raleigh, Sandra Vanhoy of Naples, Florida, and Bradley Paul Banks and wife, Karen, of Cary; four grandchildren: Eric Duncan Banks and wife, Amanda, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Philip Banks and wife, Lindsey of Roanoke, Virginia, Zachary Vanhoy of Naples, Florida, and Stephanie Bankert, and husband David, of Morrisville; and three great-grand-children, Chase Holden Banks and Trevor Gage Banks of Visalia, California, and Aliyah Banks, of Knoxville, Tennessee.

A Service of Death and Resurrection will take place Friday, May 3, 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Christian Church, 3331 Blue Ridge Rd, in Raleigh with interment and Masonic rites to follow. Memorials may be sent in Sam’s memory to the Outreach Endowment Fund also at St. Paul’s.