JIMMY BANKS

CAIRO, Ill. -- Funeral service for Jimmy E. Banks of Ken-Caryl Valley, Colo., formerly of Cairo, was held Oct. 6 at Atkinson Funeral Home in Malvern, Ark. The Rev. James Batts officiated, with burial in Shadowlawn Cemetery.

Banks, 63, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1997, at his home.

He was born April 16, 1934, in Malvern. His family moved to Cairo in 1937. He attended Cairo Schools and received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Banks served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1978 as lieutenant colonel. As a pilot, he participated in many air shows and fire power demonstrations. He was Chuck Yeager's number two wingman in the funeral flyby for President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington, D.C.

He flew 102 combat missions during the Vietnam War, and received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, seven Air Medals, and a Bronze Star.

After leaving the military he became a pilot with United Airlines and attained the rank of captain.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine; two daughters, Stacey and Virginia Banks of Ken-Caryl; two brothers, Robert Banks of Houston, Texas, John Banks of Malvern; and stepmother, Evelyn Banks of Malvern.

Announcement courtesy of Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo.