Andrew Benton Banks, Jr

Major USMC, retired

Born: June 22, 1935 in Stroud, Oklahoma

Died: May 31, 2011 in Eureka, California

Andy was the only son of Mabel and Andrew Banks. He

grew up in Pomona, California, where his father was the

fire chief for many years. Graduating from Pomona High

School in 1953, he immediately enlisted, with his friend

Hugh, in the Marines. After three years he left the Marine

Corps as a Sergeant, to attend college and planned to

study Pre Med. After graduating from Mt SAC in 1956, he

continued his studies at Chaffey College. At that time the

Marine Corps needed pilots for the impending conflict in

Vietnam and offered the Marine/Navy Cadet program. He

rejoined the Marine Corps under the Cadet program and

in July of 1959, was sent to Pensacola, Florida for flight

training. There he flew fixed wing aircraft but his love

was helicopters. He was commissioned as second lieutenant

in April 1961, and sent to Camp Pendleton in California

for combat training.

During this time Andy had met Shirley through mutual

friends on a blind date in April 1959. They were married

a year later on April 2, 1960, in Crestview, Florida where

he was still going to flight school. Shortly before their first

anniversary Cheryl was born and poor Andy had to wait 6

weeks to drive across country to see her for the first time.

The next year he was sent to Japan and then Vietnam and

Cheryl was 2 by the time he got to come home again.

Greg was born in 1964, and their family was complete.

Andy survived 5 different tours of duty, 3 in Vietnam

and 2 in Okinawa, Japan, during his 28 years with the

Marines. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in

action when he rescued 4 marines who were in harms

way. His skill and excellence earned him the distinguished

honor of being selected to serve in HMX-1, flying the

President during Nixon's term. He continued his rise to

the rank of Major before his retirement in 1981, and had

served his country for 28 years.

After retiring Andy began his new career as Santa Claus

while living in Fallbrook, California. He was Santa for the

Camp Pendleton Marine Base, as well as other organizations

in the community. He even went to a local college

to learn Spanish so that he could communicate with some

of the children that came to see Santa, who did not speak

English. In 2002, Andy moved to Eureka, California, with

his wife Shirley, to live near their daughter's family. After

completing the construction of their dream Victorian

home, Andy once again embarked on his career as Santa

Claus. Arriving by fire truck at Bayshore Mall and Jacoby

Storehouse were just two events which signaled his busy

season as Santa. Every person and child he met was immediately

blessed by his twinkling eyes, deep chuckle,

and warm demeanor from Thanksgiving through Christmas

Eve, for all who dared to believe. Andy delighted in

keeping his persona year 'round with his silver white

beard, and wearing his signature red shirt and leather suspenders.

It was not unusual to see him hand a child a

candy cane in the heat of summer while giving them a

conspiratorial wink to seal their secret. The look of surprise

and awe on their little faces is a wonderful memory

to keep.

Andy became a member of the Elks and soon became

their Santa at Christmas time. He loved his weekly

lunches with his group of retired veterans, who call themselves

the Wednesday Warriors. Marine tough and Santa

soft, he proudly shed tears whenever he pledged a waving

American flag. Andrew Benton Banks, Jr. packed

more life into his 75 years than anyone and he will be

sorely missed by all who knew him. I choose to believe

that God was in desperate need of the most excellent

Santa in heaven and so we grieve our loss and celebrate

Andy's final, and most well deserved, promotion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the

name of Andrew B. Banks, Jr., at either of the following

organizations. Both were very important to Andy: Relay

for Life - http://www.relayforlife.org/eurekaca (his daughter's

team is Teresa's Dream Team #25) - in support of

Shirley; and his latest mission, Honor Flight -

http://www.honorflightnorcal.org/ - flying Veterans to DC

to see the Memorials.

If you would like to leave condolences please visit

www.PierceMortuaryChapels.com

Please sign the online guestbook at www.timesstandard.

com, click on obits.

Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA.