Morris G. Banks

He was a 20 year veteran of the US Navy and retired after serving on 9 ships and at 2 Naval Air Stations. After his naval service, he was employed by General Hospital of Virginia Beach (Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital) where he served in the Security Department for 24 years, retiring in 1999.

Besides his family, he had 2 passions- softball and the Civil War. He played, coached and sponsored many softball teams over the years. He was a founding member along with 6 other players, of the Tidewater Senior Athletic Association (TSSA), a softball league for seniors, and he served in every elected position except Treasurer. He received many honors and awards in senior softball, but his most cherished one was in 2009 when he was selected to the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) National Championship All Tournament Team East. He hung up his cleats in 2011 at the age of 73.

He was also a Civil War buff who traveled to numerous battles sites following the footsteps of his ancestors and their units in that great tragedy. Over the years he amassed over 700 books related to the Civil War which he donated to the CSS Neuse Museum, Kinston, NC in 2012.

Morris was a life member of the Non-Commissioned Officers Associations, a life member of the Softball Players Associations, a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 99 for over 30 years, and a member of the the USS Caliente Reunion Association.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years Joanne. He is also survived by two sons, Brian A. Banks and his wife Crystal of Carrsville, VA; and Christopher Banks of Virginia Beach, VA; and his wife Lisa of Norfolk, VA; a brother Hugh T. Banks and wife Ann of Ernul, NC; and a sister Grace Hendrick and husband Ronald of Mills River, NC ; and 5 grandchildren Joshua and his wife Rachael, Savannah, Zane, Jared, and Aiden. He also leaves a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

He will be remembered by all those he touched.

The family is grateful to Dr. Robert Dowdy and his staff for their care over the years, and to Dr. Paul Conkling and his staff at Virginia Oncology Associates for their compassion, professional care, dignity and respect which was administered during his fight with cancer.

Morris was buried with Military Honors in Rosewood Memorial Park on June 20, 2016. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.kellumfuenralhome.com.