Roll Call Tribute
Neil Banfield '46 May 18, 2017 9:11 AM updated: May 18, 2017 9:13 AM
Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, Inc. - Main Funeral Home Facility obituary
1201 4th Street
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
Phone: 281-342-4671
Neil Andrew Banfield
(January 3, 1924 - May 7, 2017)
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church of Rosenberg, 1400 Radio Lane, for community volunteer and philanthropist Neil A. Banfield, who died peacefully early Sunday at his home on Mons Avenue. Banfield was 93. He was born in El Campo on Jan. 3, 1924, and moved with his parents, Neil Oscar and Annie Cornelius Banfield, to Fort Bend County when he was five years old. They lived near Big Creek by Ricefield Road before later moving to Rosenberg. Neil and Carolyn, his dedicated wife and partner of 70 years, have been involved with more community activities than any dozen other people combined.
Neil was schooled at Robert E. Lee Elementary and Rosenberg High School. After high school and a semester at Texas A&M College, he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps. At the completion of his military service in 1946, he and Carolyn were married, and he joined his father and brother, Lester Ray Banfield, and later his high school buddy George Fowler as a rice farmer in a career spanning 53 years. He retired in 1992.
In a feature story on him in the Fort Bend Herald in 2010, Banfield said, "I never had much time for civic activity while I was working, but when I retired, Carolyn and I decided it was time to give back to the community. He added, "Whatever Carolyn and I do we do as a partnership." This partnership has been attested to by friends and family throughout Fort Bend County.
Neil served 14 years on the Lamar Consolidated ISD Board of Trustees as well as 15 years as a director of the Richmond Production Credit Association.
Another of Neil's unsung civic activities was joining longtime friend Cotton Morgan in putting on fish and oyster dinners during civic and personal outings over the years.
The Banfield family invites friends attending Friday's memorial service to wear something red, Neil's favorite color.
In addition to wife Carolyn Katherine Banfield, Neil is survived by his children, Beverly Banfield, Ann Duffy Banfield, Sally Gaskin and husband Stan, Andy Banfield and James Russell Banfield and his wife De'sire'e; grandchildren Neil Gaskin, Nathan Gaskin and wife Renee', Haleigh Katherine Gaskin, Cameron Banfield, Carson Banfield, Angela Banfield and Ashley Banfield. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Emelia Grace Gaskin and Ryland Cole Gaskin.
The Banfield family would like to express special thanks to AMED Hospice Community and to Beverly Graham, Sharon Gibson, and Della Parson for their loving care of Neil.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Rosenberg, Boy Scouts of America (Sam Houston Council), Rosenberg Railroad Museum or LEAF (Lamar Education Association Foundation).
Arrangements are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX, 77471 (281)342-4671. Online Guest Book is available at www.garmanycarden.com.
1201 4th Street
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
Phone: 281-342-4671
Neil Andrew Banfield
(January 3, 1924 - May 7, 2017)
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church of Rosenberg, 1400 Radio Lane, for community volunteer and philanthropist Neil A. Banfield, who died peacefully early Sunday at his home on Mons Avenue. Banfield was 93. He was born in El Campo on Jan. 3, 1924, and moved with his parents, Neil Oscar and Annie Cornelius Banfield, to Fort Bend County when he was five years old. They lived near Big Creek by Ricefield Road before later moving to Rosenberg. Neil and Carolyn, his dedicated wife and partner of 70 years, have been involved with more community activities than any dozen other people combined.
Neil was schooled at Robert E. Lee Elementary and Rosenberg High School. After high school and a semester at Texas A&M College, he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps. At the completion of his military service in 1946, he and Carolyn were married, and he joined his father and brother, Lester Ray Banfield, and later his high school buddy George Fowler as a rice farmer in a career spanning 53 years. He retired in 1992.
In a feature story on him in the Fort Bend Herald in 2010, Banfield said, "I never had much time for civic activity while I was working, but when I retired, Carolyn and I decided it was time to give back to the community. He added, "Whatever Carolyn and I do we do as a partnership." This partnership has been attested to by friends and family throughout Fort Bend County.
Neil served 14 years on the Lamar Consolidated ISD Board of Trustees as well as 15 years as a director of the Richmond Production Credit Association.
Another of Neil's unsung civic activities was joining longtime friend Cotton Morgan in putting on fish and oyster dinners during civic and personal outings over the years.
The Banfield family invites friends attending Friday's memorial service to wear something red, Neil's favorite color.
In addition to wife Carolyn Katherine Banfield, Neil is survived by his children, Beverly Banfield, Ann Duffy Banfield, Sally Gaskin and husband Stan, Andy Banfield and James Russell Banfield and his wife De'sire'e; grandchildren Neil Gaskin, Nathan Gaskin and wife Renee', Haleigh Katherine Gaskin, Cameron Banfield, Carson Banfield, Angela Banfield and Ashley Banfield. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Emelia Grace Gaskin and Ryland Cole Gaskin.
The Banfield family would like to express special thanks to AMED Hospice Community and to Beverly Graham, Sharon Gibson, and Della Parson for their loving care of Neil.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Rosenberg, Boy Scouts of America (Sam Houston Council), Rosenberg Railroad Museum or LEAF (Lamar Education Association Foundation).
Arrangements are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX, 77471 (281)342-4671. Online Guest Book is available at www.garmanycarden.com.
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