Obituary of Robert Alroy Banks

Robert (Bob) Alroy Banks, 83, of Spanaway, WA, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 4, 2019.

Bob was born on October 20, 1935 in Lynchburg, VA, the son of John Alex Banks and Julia (Childress) Banks. He married/divorced twice: Lavada Newson and Velena Whitman. With Lavada, he had one son, Kenneth Banks, in 1963. His later years were spent with Josie Castro and they loved and cared for each other until his passing.

After high school, Bob served in the US Air Force for 20 years. His favorite post was Germany. He served in the Vietnam War and retired in 1975 at the rank of Tech-Sergeant (TSgt). After his military service, Bob started a second career as an Aerospace Life Support Technician for Boeing until his second retirement in 1993. One highlight of his Boeing career was him being the guy behind the scenes designing and repacking the parachutes for Boeing’s drone program. Bob spent his retirement actively pursuing his passions, enjoying his friends and family and celebrating life. Classic cars, fishing and camping were at the top of his list of things to do.

Surviving are his only son Kenneth, Ken’s wife Catherine and his grandchildren Halle and Hanna of Federal Way, WA. Also surviving are his siblings, Betty (Joyce) Johnson of Lynchburg, VA and Dorothy Gordon of Flushing, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings James, Annie, Mary, Walker, Leslie, Raymond, Wilbert and Kenneth.

A Christian burial with full military honors will be held at 9 AM Friday, July 19, 2019 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA. A Celebration of Life service will be held from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at LeMay – Americas Car Museum in Tacoma, WA. Bob’s treasured 1972 convertible VW Bug, that he restored, will be on display at the museum’s entrance.