James Mitchell Wilbanks, Jr. |
| Posted 2016-08-14 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, July 2, 2016 Jim departed on his heavenly journey June 23, 2016. Jim was born in Searcy County, Arkansas, on May 29, 1929, and reared in Marshall, Arkansas. He graduated Marshall High School, Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, Arkansas, majoring in mathematics, earned a Master’s Degree in Arts and Education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. He taught math in Missouri, Kansas, Arizona at Orme School and served as Director of Studies, VA, MD, as representative faculty with the administration and congressional oversight. (Gallaudet College for the hearing impaired). When Jim retired from his teaching career, he was hired by the State of Arizona DES/JTPA Administration for Development and Technical Assistance. Jim served as the liaison between Chapter H Veterans, the VA Administration and colleges to assist Veterans on education choices for their career paths. Jim served in the Army in the Korean War. Jim and wife Betty worshipped at the Wilhoit Baptist Church, played golf, hiked, camped, collected art and music. His parents, Jim and Cleora Wilbanks, two brothers, Fred and Willard Wilbanks, a sister, Gladys Horton, a brother-in-law, Gwen Horton; four sisters-in-law, Vigil Wilbanks, Carra Jane Wilbanks, Nellie Sue Marshall, Lois Faye Hacker, Grandson, Christopher J. Wilbanks, grandson in-common, Ashton Ernst, parents-in-law, Dennis and Dale James, predeceased Jim’s death. We were blessed with two sons and two daughters. Survivors are Betty Wilbanks, Charles Lee Wilbanks, Kailyn Wilbanks (aka Kathy) (Debbie Davis), Kimberly Sue Wilbanks, Alan Russell Wilbanks, granddaughter, Raven Muir Wilbanks, Margaret Sue Cross (sister), Mary Alice Biship (sister-in-law), brothers-in-law Bill Cross, James A. Marshall, Shirley D. Hacker, William Dennis James (Joyce) and many nieces and nephews. Jim lived in the Margaret T. Morris Assisted Living facility for six and a half years where he made many friends. Jim will have a small cremation vault in the marble wall at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. Graveside service and interment will be at a later date in Jim’s home state of Arkansas, surrounded by family, friends and a U.S. Army Honor Guard farewell. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Information provided by survivors. |
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