James L Banner

December 11, 1925 – November 8, 2026

James Lilburn “Jim” Banner, 100, a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio, was welcomed into God’s presence on Sunday, November 8, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Marie Banner, and is survived by his daughter, Teresa (Jerome) Watters, and his grandchildren, Ashley Bianchino and Chase Watters.

A 1944 graduate of East High School, Jim was drafted into the United States Army that July and served in the South Pacific during World War II. After active duty, he continued his military service in the Army Reserve with the 614th AAA Gun Battalion, rising first to sergeant first class and then to master sergeant. He went on to serve with the 8th Battalion, 68th Armor, first as tank platoon sergeant and later as battalion operations sergeant.

Jim worked as a supervisory technician at Defense Supply Center Columbus until his retirement in 1985. An accomplished pilot and airplane mechanic, he spent many happy hours in retirement flying and working on airplanes and was a proud member of the Phoenix Flying Club.

Jim put his knack for fixing things to work in his church community. He lent a hand at Broad Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for 40 years and later served on the property task force at Saint Andrew Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where his many projects included installing several water heaters.

In his own words, Jim wanted to be remembered as “an old retired Army Master Sergeant who at one time could fix almost anything.”

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Saint Andrew Christian Church, 1985 Swansford Dr., Dublin, Ohio 43016. Interment will take place on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43213.