James Banning: UPDATE

James (Pop) Edward Banning, age 75, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, September 4, 2011 in Wichita, Kansas. He was born June 15, 1936 in Longton, Kansas the son of Lonzo Abram and Veora Allison (Jackson) Banning.

James moved with his family to a farm near Longton at age 2, where he grew up and attended Longton schools; graduating from Longton High School in 1954. James married Wanda Lea Shanks in Longton on August 25, 1961. On April 15, 1963, during a dirt storm, James, Wanda, and son Jimmy moved to the Julius John’s farm 12 miles south of Johnson, Kansas. Here he began his life journey of working hard on the land and loving the people about him. Over the next 16 years, Lorri Ann, Janet, Robert (Pete) and Nancy were added to the family. James and Wanda built a house in 1975 and moved into Johnson. After he “retired” from working for Julius Johns for over 36 years, James and Wanda pulled new trailers across this nation to new dealerships for almost a year. After seeing the countryside, James went to work for Collingwood Grain in Big Bow, Kansas pulling anhydrous tanks and running the scales at the elevator during harvest. He then pulled tanks and hauled fertilizer for Skyland Grain across four different counties in Southwest Kansas and two counties in Southeast Colorado. He knew all the country roads and took great pride in all the miles he could travel in a day, making sure the tanks were in the right spot. He believed in working hard, doing a good job, and accepting people for who they were. James enjoyed having a good time with those he worked with, his family in their day-to-day lives, and his coffee buddies at the convenience store. James accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour in 1974 and was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Johnson. He was a board member of the Stanton County Historical Society. Some of his favorite things were John Deere tractors and combines, tractor pulls, watching a grandson in the mud run, classic country and gospel music, car races, and spending as much time as he could enjoying his family.

He is survived by two sons, Jimmy Banning and wife Kitty of Ulysses, Kansas, Robert (Pete) Banning and wife Michelle of Johnson, Kansas; three daughters, Lorri Ann Leatherman and husband Jeff of Liberal, Kansas, Janet Sheppard and husband Brian of Syracuse, Kansas, Nancy Roberts and husband Michael of Syracuse, Kansas; two brothers, Cecil Banning and wife Eunice of Hesston, Kansas, Martin (Bud) Banning of Tyrone, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Jerrad Banning and wife Alyssa, Katarina Phillips and husband David, Mary Banning, Garth, Garrett, Garron, and Gaven Sheppard, William and Steven Roberts; and great grandchildren, Aspen Banning and Kaitlin Phillips.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wanda on July 22, 2007; great grandson, Keagen Phillips; sister, Jean Weber; and brothers, Lowell and Delbert.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at the Faith Baptist Church in Johnson, Kansas with Pastor Carl Kissell and Pastor Robert Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, Kansas. Friends may call Wednesday, September 7, 2011 from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson, Kansas. Memorials may be given to the Stanton County Historical Society or Stanton County Relay for Life in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855.