Roll Call Tribute

Joe Don Banks
February 11, 1949 - December 5, 2020

Joe Don Banks, 71, loving husband and father, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020 in Fort Worth.

Memorials: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center or Christ Chapel Church

Don was born in Mexia, Texas to Norma Trout and J. O. Banks, Jr. After receiving his Geophysics Degree in 1967 from Texas A&M, he began a life-long, global career in the oil business. In 1978, he married the love of his life, Debbie Williams, and subsequently became the proud father of children, Erin and Jared.

Growing up, Don and the Banks family traveled throughout the US following his father’s career. These experiences led to a lifetime passion for travel, adventure, and learning. As a young adult, he spent three years in the Philippines and on offshore oil rig boats that charted all over the world.

During high school, Don excelled as an athlete, lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track and was also named Homecoming King his senior year. Throughout his life, he was known for his fun-loving and outgoing personality.

Always young at heart, he played numerous pranks on coworkers throughout his 30-year career at Bass Enterprises and four years at Jetta Operating. His mischief continued on the golf course at Colonial Country Club, where he regularly played with an older and wiser group of men who proudly called themselves The Dirty Dozen. This group’s self-proclaimed name tells everything one needs to know about them.

Don’s family placed a priority on being active in the church, and while in high school he preached a sermon for his local Baptist congregation. When he and Debbie relocated to Fort Worth in 1981, they became active members of Christ Chapel where Don served as an Elder, participated in Bible studies, and was dedicated to his men’s group, Band of Brothers. It was important to him that everyone know Christ.

Quality family time was instilled in Don as a young boy as he and his family traveled the country together. As a result, it was a priority for him as he started his own family. While his children were growing up, family dinner together was a part of each day. Don, Erin, and Jared would often give Debbie a break from cooking by making waffles and eggs together. Don reveled at his children’s football and basketball games, coaching them through the YMCA in the early years, and then yelling at the refs in the later years. When Debbie and he became empty-nesters, they began to travel worldwide, something they both loved.

Don is preceded in death by his father J. O. and mother Norma. He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Erin, son Jared, brother Jim, sister Laura, cousins, nieces and nephews.