Ltc Gary Gene Banks

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Gene Banks, 75, died September 1, 2014 after a long struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Gene; his daughter, Amy Tull (Chip); his son, Bill; and two grandsons, Andrew and Spencer. Also surviving are his sister, Patricia Orwick of Walla Walla and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Barbara Rigsby; and brother, Lynn Banks.

Gary was born in Walla Walla on June 8, 1939 to Harold and Lillian (Lowden) Banks. He attended Walla Walla Public Schools where he played basketball and baseball. He was Captain of the 1957 Wa-Hi baseball team and then went on to Washington State University where he played baseball and earned membership in the Gray W Letterman’s Club. He was also a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and a cadet in the Senior Army Reserve Officers Training Corps. He graduated in February 1962 as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army.

LTC Banks received specialized training throughout his military career: Infantry Officers Basic Course, Airborne School where he earned his Army Parachutist wings, and Ranger School, all in 1962. He later graduated the Adjutant General Officers Advanced Course in 1969, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College 1973-74. He also completed Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1974 and received a Master's Degree from Pepperdine University in 1976.

Gary married Gene Rebillard on August 20, 1961 and upon completion of his WSU bachelor's degree and the IOBC. They were off to his first assignment in the 3rd Battalion, 6th Infantry in West Berlin, Germany. He served with the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) in Vietnam from, 1967-1968. He worked in the Army Casualty Directorate Office of the Adjutant General at the Pentagon working on "Operation Homecoming” - which was the return of U.S. Army POWs and MIAs from Vietnam. He was the Secretary of the General staff for the 24th Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart Georgia, followed by an assignment in Brussels, Belgium. While in Brussels, LTC Banks was Chief of Administrative Personnel and Security for all U.S. military personnel assigned to NATO headquarters there. His last assignment was as the Adjutant General at Ft. Bliss, TX.

While on active duty, LTC Banks was awarded the Legion of Merit, Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, an Air Medal, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, plus many other service, campaign and unit awards and decorations during his career.

LTC Banks retired from the Army in 1982 and returned home to the Walla Walla Valley, where his family has resided for more than 100 years. His great-great-grandparents founded the town of Lowden in 1868 establishing a proud family heritage that remains present today. He raised Stocker Cattle on the family ranch in Lowden for the next 30 years and during that time he was a member and officer of Old Lowden Ditch Irrigation Corporation. His years as a rancher also included an avid interest in rodeo.

Following his active Army career, LTC Banks was the Senior Army Instructor for the Junior ROTC program at Walla Walla High School from 1985 to 2007, where he helped many students go on to college and careers in the military. His endless commitment to Duty, Honor, and Country drove his interest in following politics and world news. He was above all, a great Patriot.

Gary was interested in all things athletic and was a loyal supporter of Washington State University Cougar athletics, attending home football games whenever possible. He especially loved hearing about or attending his grandsons' sporting events. He was always very proud of his daughter and son and gave them unconditional love. His 53 years of marriage to Gene were full of fun, laughter, adventure and above all, love.

The graveside service will be held on September 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, Disabled American Veterans, or the Christian Aid Center in Walla Walla, through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.