John Banister

Memorial services for John D. Banister, 86, of Artesia will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church of Artesia with Reverend Ken Robinson and Reverend Rick Sullivan officiating. Burial will be at Twin Oaks Memorial Park with Masonic and military rites. Pallbearers will be Chris Banister, Teague Banister, Chris Kuykendall, Matt Staples, Jason Kuykendall, Bryan Banister, Zane Banister, and Jennifer Kuykendall. Public visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Terpening Son Mortuary in Artesia. 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 Artesias 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. Donations should be directed to the memorial of the donors choice.