James S. 'Jimmy' Banks, 76

DELMAR - James S. "Jimmy" Banks of Delmar died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. He was 76.

He was born Dec. 24, 1930, in Delmar, son of the late Willard T. Banks Sr. and Mabel Frances Banks.

Raised in Delmar, Jimmy was a member of the Delmar High School state championship soccer team.

After leaving high school, he loved his work as the owner and operator of the Delmar American Filling Station, where he worked for more than 33 years.

Jimmy was a life member of the Delmar Fire Department, where he served for more than 49 years. He served many years as chief engineer and was a member of the Delaware and Maryland fire police.

He was also a member of the Delmar Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8276 Men's Auxiliary.

Jimmy enjoyed fishing and gardening. Everyone who knew him will remember how much he loved cutting grass with his John Deere tractor.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jean S. Banks of Delmar, whom he married on April 18, 1949; a son, James S. "Sam" Banks II and his wife Colette of Delmar; a daughter, Donna Wilkosz and her husband Ron of Delmar; four grandchildren, Jordan Banks of Delmar, Devin Banks stationed in Iraq, Stephanie Ruark and her husband Ken of Delmar and Heather Townsend and her husband John of Delmar; two step-grandchildren, Missy Brubaker of Delmar and Aaron Brubaker of Chesapeake, Va.; his great-grandchildren, Lauren, Justin and Marley Ruark and Brittany, Hunter and Brianna Townsend; a sister, Virginia Gorsuch; several nieces and nephews; and his special pet dog, Chico.

A visitation for family and friends will be 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and also Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. at Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove St., Delmar, where a fireman's funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday.

The Rev. Sam McWilliams will officiate.

Interment will follow at St. Stephen's Cemetery, Delmar.