Ardie Clondike Banker Jr.

Ardie was born on March 19, 1934, to his late parents, Ardie Clondike Banker, Sr. and Jennie Redmond Banker. After losing both of his parents at a young age, he was welcomed into the family of the late James Franklin Elam, Sr., and the late Catherine Elam. Both families helped shape the man Ardie became—a man who valued hard work, helping others, quality time with loved ones, and most importantly, family.

On the night of his high school graduation from North Mecklenburg High School, Ardie began his own family. He married the love of his life, Darlene Turner Banker, and together, they built a loving family that includes three daughters, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

At the same time he was building his family, Ardie began a lifelong career of service with the Charlotte Fire Department, joining in 1957. He moved his way up the ranks and, following a 27-year career of dedicated service, retired in 1984 as a Module Commander. His passion for helping others continued well into retirement, as he remained actively involved with the Charlotte Fire Museum and the Robinson Volunteer Fire Department.

Whether in uniform or in everyday life, Ardie was defined by his outgoing and supportive personality. He never met a stranger. He had a gift for making others feel important and made friends wherever he went.

Ardie loved to travel, especially camping with his camping club, the Ramblin' Squares. Ardie, Darlene, and their girls were all involved in square dancing, a hobby that took them all over the East Coast and gave Ardie wild stories to tell, including one about dancing in an empty swimming pool in Myrtle Beach, SC. Ardie had a wonderful sense of adventure, and he made sure his children and grandchildren experienced that same joy of travel.

One of Ardie's favorite trips was to Disney World. A one-time trip the first year the park opened, became a family tradition that has now involved dozens of trips, spread over decades. Ardie's voice was always full of pure joy when he bragged that he was still riding the biggest and tallest roller coasters Disney had to offer, well into his 80s.

Ardie was a member of several fraternal and civic organizations, including the Shriners, the Masonic Lodge, and the Boy Scouts of America. He was incredibly proud of the work the organizations did to help others, and of his participation in each.

Ardie is survived by his daughters, Teresa Putnam, Kimberly Wallace, and Gina Williams; his son-in-law, Marc Williams; his grandchildren and their significant others, Jennifer and Eric Shulskie, Patterson Wallace and Daryn Bennett, Will Wallace and Lillian Lequire, and Jillian Williams; and his great-grandchildren, Hudson Shulskie, Bowman Shulskie, Daisy Wallace, and Davyn Bennett.

Ardie is also survived by members of his extended family, Carrie Jo Elam, Kent Elam, Brian Elam, Curtis Elam, Alice Kuchenbrod, Ann Mason, Christopher White, and Kristen Turner.

Visitation will be held at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Charlotte, NC 28227, US, on May 4, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at the same location from 2:00 pm. Ardie will be laid to rest at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212, following the service.

Ardie will be forever loved and deeply missed.