Kenneth Banks Obituary

Memorial services for longtime Cortez resident, Kenneth T."Ken" Banks will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, at the Cortez Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. #1789 in Cortez.

Kenneth "Ken" T. Banks was born on April 13, 1943 in Accomack County, Va. and left this life on August 26, 2014 in Cortez, Colo. at the age of 71 years.

Ken was born the second of five children to Lydia and Tankard Banks. He spent his formative years in Parksley, Va. and upon graduation entered the U.S. Marine Corps where he served for four years during the Vietnam War. After being discharged from the Marines, Ken lived in California while working on aircraft for military subcontractors for about 12 years. He then settled in Monticello, Utah and managed the Broderick Tire Store and the Chevron gas station. He moved from Utah to Cortez and opened Ken Banks' Shooters' World in 1990. Over the years he built the business into the well respected gun store that it is today. Ken was proud of the fact that he could serve the community of Cortez with a wide range of products for sportsmen of the area.

He belonged to the Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club, the Cortez Trap Club, the Cortez Elks and was proud to be a lifetime member of the N.R.A. While he had no children of his own, he was always willing to support young shooters.

Ken is survived by his mother, Lydia Lang of Pocomoke, Md.; his siblings, Tressa McDaniel of Seaford, Del., Rodney Banks of Pensacola, Fla., and Craig Banks of Pocomoke, Md. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Jennifer Culver of Delmar, Md., Allen Banks of Smithton, Ill., Vince Short of Seaford, Del., Kenny Short of Lillington, N.C., Paula Short of Lancaster, Calif., and Rusty Banks of Lexington, S.C.; and by a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Tankard Banks; and his brother, Danny Banks.

A memorial fund has been established in Ken Banks' name at the Dolores State Bank, Cortez Branch, 744 E. Main Street, Cortez, Colo. 81321.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.