BANKEN, Chris A.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Friday, January 30, 2015 Chris A. Banken, 45, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at Scottsdale Osborne Healthcare in Scottsdale, Arizona. Chris was born Nov. 22, 1969, in Janesville, Wisconsin. At a young age, he moved with his family to Alberta, Minnesota. He attended and graduated from Chokio Alberta High School in 1988. He furthered his education at Moorhead State University with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. After graduating from college, Chris moved to Arizona, where he worked for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections. Chris became the first executive director of Mingus Mountain Academy in 1999. Chris carried the mission and philosophy of Bill and Pauline Don Carlos through the summer of 2014. Chris joined Sequel in January 2004. In his capacity as senior vice president, Chris oversaw Mingus Mountain Academy, SequelCare of Arizona and Sequel TSI. Additionally, he was responsible for the oversight of Bernalillo Academy in New Mexico, Normative Services Academy in Wyoming, SequelCare of Oklahoma and Rose Rock Academy in Oklahoma, and Mountain Home Academy in Idaho. Chris enjoyed spending time with his children and entertaining his friends. When Chris would walk into a room, he always had a big smile and a twinkle in his eye like he was up to no good. He loved to be the center of attention and loved to make everyone laugh. Chris is survived by his children Justice and Kennedy; his sister Dawn and her husband Scott; his niece Courtney and her son Carter; his mom Susan; nieces Samantha and Kyleigh; nephew Zachary; many aunts and uncles; Grandma Dean; great friend Sonja; and close friends Steve aka Kramer and Jarrett aka Scooter. Chris was preceded in death by his father Steve, grandparents Milo and Betty Hurlbut and Ray Banken, and his friends Bill and Pauline Don Carlos. Donations can made in remembrance of Chris Banken to Mingus Mountain Academy, Chris Banken Memorial Fund, c/o Fred Schaffner, Controller, 2517 N. Great Western Drive, Suite P, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314. A memorial service will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 31, 2015, at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Information provided by survivors.
Posted by Sharla on January 31, 2015

Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.