Born May 17, 1934 in Pittsburgh California
Died peacefully at home surrounded by family on September 10, 2021 at age 87.
A Merced resident since 1973, John graduated from San Francisco State and served in the US Army in Korea from 1953 to 1955. He was a dedicated member and Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International and was a proud fixture at the annual crab feed event. As a longtime member of St. Luke’s Church, he held the positions of Treasurer and vestry member. John founded Label Technology in 1986 and the company grew to become one of Merced’s most prestigious businesses driven by his optimism and love for the customers and employees alike. He recognized the success of the business as “the American dream come true” and was eternally grateful to those who helped build it.
John is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia Bankson of Merced, his children Matthew (Elizabeth) Bankson of Winston-Salem North Carolina, David (Dawn) Bankson of Merced, Karen (Doug) Fordice of Atwater, Bob (Karen) Johnson and David Johnson of Merced. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Quinn and Elias Bankson, Tia and Jack Bankson, Neil and Nick Fordice, Dante, Dominic, Dino and Tori Johnson and two great-grandchildren, Jeffery John and Margaret Juliette Fordice. John is also survived by his nephew, Bill Bankson (Susan) of North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John “Jack” and Mabel Bankson of Pittsburgh, California and his brother William Bankson of Pittsburgh, California.
John enjoyed reading and being in his garden. He loved long drives in the country, discovering new roads but loved most the many years of family vacations in Lake Tahoe and Monterey. He also loved extensive travel with Sylvia with special memories of Europe and annual trips to Hawaii.
He gave the spice to our lives that lead to the recipe for living life fully.
Funeral service will be held at St Luke’s Anglican Church on 21st and Canal this Saturday, September 18th at 10AM. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Luke’s Anglican Church in Merced or the Merced Rotary Club Foundation, PO Box 751, Merced CA, 95341.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the BANKSON family.
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