Lt. Col. Edgar M.(Eddie) Banks

Lt. Col. Edgar Monroe (Eddie) Banks, age 82, of Decatur, died on Wednesday, February 9, 2011. A native Atlantan, he was the son of the late Palm (Hamilton) and Theodore P. Banks, Sr. He was born on December 14, 1928 in Cabbagetown and grew up in Grant Park. A graduate of Roosevelt High School, Eddie earned a Bachelor's Degree of Business Administration from the University of Georgia and a Masters Degree, Major in Military Science, from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Serving in the US Army Airborne and Special Forces (Green Beret), he earned the Silver Wings of Parachutist, logging over 200 parachute jumps. He also earned Glider Wings and served two tours in the Far East Command (FECOM). He retired from the Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel. Eddie retired from Foote & Davies where he had worked for 27 years in printing sales and management.

In high school, Eddie met Mary Frances Tolar and they married on December 14, 1951. He taught Sunday School at Martha Brown Methodist Church. He enthusiastically supported his children's activities by seeking leadership roles in the support organizations. He served as President of the Booster Club at Towers High School where son David was a swimmer and daughter Kathy was a cheerleader. He also served as President of Decatur City Dance where Kathy was a company dancer. Eddie started officiating football for the DeKalb Parks and Recreation Youth Football League. Through the GFOA (Georgia Football Officials Association), he officiated high school football games for many years and served a term as the organization's President.

Eddie loved to sing and dance. He was active in community theatre at DeKalb College (now Georgia Perimeter College). He was an avid tennis player and fisherman. He liked to play bridge and poker, and he enjoyed hosting friends and family at his cabin at Lake Hartwell. Eddie will be remembered for his generous, fun-loving spirit.

Mr. Banks was predeceased by his brother Theodore P. (Ted/Tedo) Banks, Jr. Surviving are his wife of 59 years Mary Frances, daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Ron Everett, son and daughter-in-law David and Marty Banks; grandchildren Matthew Everett and Abigail, Gabriel, Christian, Nathan, and Joseph Banks; brother and sister-in-law Marshall (Dusty) and Marjorie Banks, sister-in-law Myra Banks, all of Atlanta, sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Bob Mathis of Scottsdale, Arizona; and many other family members and friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 19th at 3:00 pm in the chapel at A.S. Turner & Sons, 2772 North Decatur Road, Decatur GA 30033. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:45 pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Decatur City Dance, 102 Church Street, Decatur GA 30030 or Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (Mustard Seed Communities), 2855 Briarcliff Rd, NE, Atlanta GA 30329


Funeral Home:
AS Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033