John Dee Bankston, born March 10, 1926 in Center Ridge, MS passed from this life on July 25, 2020 at the age of 94. John married Bobbie Louise Allbritton in 1948 and their union was blessed with three children; John Thomas Bankston, John Earl Bankston and Betty Carolyn Bankston Christensen.
John was preceded in death by his wife Bobbie, their two sons and step-son Stephen Wright. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Senoth deFleron Bankston, his daughter Betty Christensen, step-daughter Nancy Wright, son-in-law Randy Christensen, granddaughter Michelle Belcher, grandson Scott Christensen Jr., two great granddaughters, Destiny and Isabella Christensen, four great grandsons Kyle and Jacob Phipps, Matthew Belcher and Scottie Christensen, and great-great grandson Luke Phipps, brother Ed Bankston and sister Sally Davenport and a host of family and friends.
John devoted his life to serving other veterans and his nation. At the age of 18 John joined the US Marine Corps and served in World War ll. John served in numerous combat units and was part of the occupying force in Japan after the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. There he was exposed to high levels of radiation from which he developed health issues that plagued him the rest of his life.
After his honorable discharge from the Marines, John went on to serve in the Civil Service from which he retired. After his retirement, John became a dedicated advocate for veteran’s rights across the country, especially the Atomic Veterans; for which he went before congressional leaders and scientist pleading their cause.
In 2011 John was honored to be a guest and key speaker at the request of the Second Generation of Nagasaki, Kyushu, Japan, Atomic Victims. He joined in the laying of wreaths on five historical monuments, including POW Camp for Americans. John contributed to Wes Injerd’s documentary of the World War 2 prisoners of the Nagasaki’s Atomic bombing.
With many accomplishments on behalf of others, at the age of 80, John authored his life’s experiences and of his fight for all veterans in his book called “The Invisible Enemy of Atomic Veterans and How They Were Betrayed.”
Having touched the lives of many in the US and other countries, John will be missed by his family and by a host of others whom called him their brother and friend.
“Your struggles are history, but not a thing of the past. It’s timeless, poignant, current, and not something to be swept under the rug or taken lightly. Semper Fi!” – John D Bankston
In lieu of flowers the family requested donations be made in John’s name to: Shadow Lawn Baptist Church - 5665 Dogwood Trail, Eight Mile, Alabama 36613 or any charity of your choice.
