Ronald Banks

Ronald Banks

Ronald Banks, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 14, 2015. He was 69 years old.

Ronald was born in Woodward, Alabama on July 23, 1945 to Lige and Maggie Banks. While he loved his family very much, he was eager to see the world and enlisted in the United States Air Force at the young age of 17. The Air Force became his lifelong career, spanning more than 40 years with combined active duty and civil service. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. He served assignments in the United States and many parts of Asia. He met the love of his life, Wang Sheng Guoo (known to many as Lisi), in Taipei, Taiwan. They married on March 10, 1970.

Ronald was a firm believer in lifelong learning. He earned a Bachelors of Science in Logistics Management from Weber State University in 1987 and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Utah State University in 1993.

Ron was a wonderful father who taught his children, Stanley and Kristina, the finer things in life. He taught them to love “yard bird,” the beauty of wrapping Christmas presents in tin foil, and most of all, to love their family and their country. He was a devoted grandfather who shared with his grandchildren his love of aviation and was often persuaded to take them out for a treat at “Mickey D’s.”

In 1981, Ron and Lisi moved to Layton, UT to begin an assignment at Hill Air Force Base. He retired from active duty Air Force in 1985 and he and Lisi called Utah home for the rest of their lives.

Ronald loved to garden and could be found many days outside, connecting to nature and getting “off the grid.” He would share vegetables, flowers and gardening tips with anybody who happened to stop by. He had also recently taken an interest in genealogy and found satisfaction and joy in tracing his lineage and recording dates and stories.

He is survived by his children, Stanley Michael (Erica) and Kristina Rachel, his grandchildren, Jordan, Dylan and Olivia, his brothers, Kenneth Wayne and Tyrone, and his sisters, Shirley and Erma. He is preceded in death by his cherished wife, Lisi, his parents, Lige and Maggie, his sister, Diane, and his brothers, Elijah and Bobby Clayton.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. The family requests that his memory be honored by planting new trees or flowers.

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.

Master Sergeant Ronald Banks, we salute you.