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John Denis Banister 1916 - 2003

John Denis Banister of Artesia, Eddy County, NM was born on November 18, 1916 in Mangum, Greer County, Oklahoma United States, and died at age 86 years old on April 26, 2003 in Artesia, Eddy County, NM. John Banister was buried at Twin Oaks Memorial Park 59 Lake Arthur Hwy, in Artesia.

John Denis Banister

Artesia, Eddy County, NM 88210

November 18, 1916

Mangum, Greer County, Oklahoma, 73554, United States

April 26, 2003

Artesia, Eddy County, New Mexico, 88210, United States

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John Denis Banister John Banister (1916 - 2003)

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John Denis Banister's History: 1916 - 2003

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Introduction

John Denis Banister was born on November 18, 1916 in Mangum, Greer, OK to parents Lawrence Ward Bannister (1878-1938) and Henrietta Elizabeth Hughes Bannister (1886-1973). He grew up in a large family with 11 siblings. He was a graduate of Mangum High School, Western New Mexico University, and Sul Ross State University, while also completing graduate studies at Eastern New Mexico University. He married Geraldine Elizabeth Clark (1922-2010) on November 6, 1943, in Mangum, Greer, Oklahoma. Shortly after getting married, he and his wife moved to Lakewood in 1945, where he started his career as a dedicated public school teacher and administrator. He taught at Malaga for one year before settling in Cottonwood, where he served as a teacher and principal from 1949 to 1970. Later, at Artesia's Zia Middle School, he continued to teach until his retirement in 1980. During his distinguished service in the US Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945, Mr. Banister served as a liaison pilot and was stationed in India, Burma, and China. His valor and contributions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Asia-Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Service Stars. Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Banister actively engaged with the Cottonwood community, coaching numerous basketball, baseball, and softball teams. Additionally, he showed his commitment as a Boy Scout leader and an enthusiastic supporter of 4-H.
11/18

1916

Birthday

November 18, 1916

Birthdate

Mangum, Greer County, Oklahoma 73554, United States

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

He was white. His father Lawrence Ward Bannister was born on October 26, 1878 in Nocona, Montaque, TX and he passed away on January 18, 1938 in Mangum, Greer, OK. His mother Henrietta Elizabeth Hughes Bannister was born on July 21, 1886 in Rockwall, Texas, United States and she passed away on May 3, 1973 in Carlsbad, Eddy, New Mexico, United States. John was one of 12 children in his family with siblings including Lionel Lawrence Eugene Bannister (1902-1971), Mary Jane Bannister Jackson (1903-1990), Charles Elwood Bannister Sr (1906-1995), Tillman Arthur Bannister (1908-1995), Archie Lee Bannister (1910-2000), Alice Faye Bannister Thornton( 1912-1974), Millie Woodrow Bannister Simmons (1914-2008), Winston Egbert Bannister (1919-1949), Ellis Lawson Bannister (1919-1988), and Bryan Bannister (1924-2000).
Nationality & Locations

John was born and raised in Mangum, Greer, OK. He later resided in Artesia, NM.
Early Life & Education

John Banister was a graduate of Mangum High School, Western New Mexico University and Sul Ross State University, with additional graduate studies at Eastern New Mexico University.
Military Service

John Denis Banister, at the age of 23, registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, in Mangum, Greer, Oklahoma. John listed himself as the "Head" of his household, indicating that he was the primary responsible individual. At the time of the draft registration, he resided in Mangum, Greer, Oklahoma, and was employed by the Mangum School Board. Physically, he was 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 138 pounds. He had a light complexion, red hair, and gray eyes. He then enlisted in the United States Army on April 6, 1942, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His military serial number was 18086994. He served in the Air Corps, which later became the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. As an Air Corps enlistee, he trained to become a liaison pilot. John held the rank of Private in the Army of the United States. His enlistment was part of the war effort in response to the United States' entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. His terms of enlistment specified that he was enlisting for the duration of the war or any other emergency that may arise. Additionally, he committed to serving for an additional six months beyond the end of the war or emergency period, subject to the President's discretion or other legal provisions. From 1942 to 1945, John Denis Banister served as a liaison pilot in the US Army Air Corps. He was stationed in various regions, including India, Burma, and China, where he played a vital role in supporting communication and coordination efforts. John's service and bravery during his time as a pilot earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, an esteemed military decoration. Additionally, he was recognized with the Air Medal, adorned with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and received the Asia-Pacific Theater Ribbon, embellished with three Bronze Service Stars. John Denis Banister's valorous contributions during World War II exemplify the dedication and sacrifices made by servicemen during that historic period.
Professional Career

John and his wife moved to Lakewood in 1945, where he began his career as a public school teacher and administrator. He taught at Malaga one year and then moved to Cottonwood, where he was a teacher and principal from 1949 to 1970. He then taught at Artesia's Zia Middle School until his retirement in 1980.
Personal Life & Family

He married Geraldine E. Clark on November 6, 1943, in Mangum. John was actively involved with the families of the Cottonwood community, serving as a coach for numerous basketball, baseball, and softball teams, as well as a Boy Scout leader and avid supporter of 4-H.
04/26

2003

Death

April 26, 2003

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Artesia, Eddy County, New Mexico 88210, United States
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Twin Oaks Memorial Park 59 Lake Arthur Hwy, in Artesia, Eddy County, New Mexico 88210, United States
Burial location
Obituary

See John D Banister Obituary .

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2 Memories, Stories & Photos about John

Lizzie Kunde

27.6k+ favorites

07/26/2023

John Denis Banister

Photo of John from Findagrave.com originally added by Delma Ingram on November 28, 2006.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Lizzie Kunde

27.6k+ favorites

07/26/2023

John D Banister Obituary

Memorial services were held for John D. Banister, 86, of Artesia at the First Baptist Church of Artesia with Reverend Ken Robinson and Reverend Rick Sullivan officiating. Burial was at Twin Oaks Memorial Park with Masonic and military rites.

Mr. Banister died at home on April 26, 2003. He was born November 18, 1916, at Mangum, Oklahoma, the son of L.W. and Henrietta (Hughes) Banister. He married Geraldine E. Clark on November 6, 1943, in Mangum. They moved to Lakewood in 1945, where Banister began his career as a public school teacher and administrator. He taught at Malaga one year and then moved to Cottonwood, where he was a teacher and principal from 1949 to 1970. He then taught at Artesia's Zia Middle School until his retirement in 1980. Mr. Banister was actively involved with the families of the Cottonwood community, serving as a coach for numerous basketball, baseball, and softball teams, as well as a Boy Scout leader and avid supporter of 4-H. Banister was a graduate of Mangum High School, Western New Mexico University and Sul Ross State University, with additional graduate studies at Eastern New Mexico University.

Mr. Banister served as a liaison pilot in the US Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945, seeing duty in India, Burma, and China. In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, he was decorated with the Air Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf and the Asia-Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Service Stars.

Preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers, and two sisters, Mr. Banister is survived by his wife, Gerry, of Artesia, and their children: John L. Banister, Collins, Mississippi; Dr. Ken Banister, Torrington, Wyoming; Thomas C. Banister, LaLuz, N.M.: and, MarySue Kuykendall, Artesia. Surviving also are two sisters, Junelle Bean of Delano, California, and Millie Simmons of Carlsbad, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

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