Obituary

Raymond Banks, age 93 ½, passed away Monday, October 14, 2019, in Goodyear, Arizona, his residence for 25 years. Ray was born in 1925 to Lena and Max Banks in Granby, Connecticut. He was the youngest of seven children. He had one sister, Ethel, 2^nd from the oldest, who virtually raised him. He was a graduate of Simsbury High. Ray joined the US Army Air Corps and after two years he enrolled at the University of Connecticut where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree. He joined the US Air Force as a 1^st Lt, became a navigator and retired as a Major after 21 years of service. He received four Air Medals plus numerous awards and decorations. While in the Air Force he met the love of his life, Mary Mann.   They were married in April 1953.   They spent 60 years together until her death in 2013. Upon Ray’s retirement, they settled in Sacramento, CA where Ray earned another degree at the State University at Sacramento. Ray worked for the State of California until his second retirement. They spent 24 wonderful years there, as members of the Yacht Club, boating on the rivers and the Pacific Ocean. During that time they had three miniature Schnauzers that were their children (Pasha, Pirate, and Peanuts). Ray and Mary traveled all over the world: Ireland, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Hawaii, England, and many other places. When they moved to PebbleCreek Community 25 years ago they took up golf and made many lifelong friends. Ray and Mary especially cherished their PebbleCreek Community Church. Ray was a social person with a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. He cared deeply about his friends and family. He was always there to provide support.   Ray was a Mason.

Ray is survived by his nieces, Judi Stevens and husband Eddie, Deborah Banks, Tammy Banks-Spooner; goddaughter Erica Millard; nephews, Martin Goldfarb, Craig and wife Barbara Banks, Marc and wife Joyce Banks, Randy and wife Jane Miller, Scott and wife Lynda Miller, and Stephen and wife Jeana Miller. He is survived by grandnieces and nephews; Laura Luddy, Micah and Isaiah Goldfarb, and Zeke Spooner.

Thank you to Pastor Robert Ripley and the congregation of PebbleCreek Community Church, Sharon and Greg McKenzie, Mary Morgan, Donna and Ned Grover, Sharon and Doyle Yoder, and Vern and Elizabeth Peterson, Akemi Brewer and the many others that have been his family.

A memorial service will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Masonic Homes of California or charity of your choice.