Carl David Banker, age 61, passed away January 29, 2010 after a long battle with GIST. He was born to Bertha Decatur Banker and Paul Comer Banker, in Cheverly, Maryland, on December 24, 1948.

Carl graduated from Nicholas Blackwell High School in Bartlett, TN in 1967. He also attended the University of Tennessee in Martin, TN.

Carl served in the United States Army and fought in Vietnam from 1969- 1970 and was stationed in Germany from 1970-1971. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran. Carl worked for General Motors for over 30 years and retired in 2008. He also had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch in San Diego, CA in 2002.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Katherine; four children, Kathy Stephens, of Huntsville, Alabama; son, Richard Banker, his wife, Katherine, and their son, Ian, of Bernalillo, NM; daughter, Karen Collins, her husband, Roy, and their three children, Jonathan, Lauren and Aaron of Woodhaven, MI; son, Carl David, his wife, Monica, and their 2 children, Lance and Kailey of Wesley Chapel, FL.; sister, Patricia Duke, and her husband, Kevin, of Wynne, AR; and best friend of 47 years, Keith Ferrell, of Hernando, MS.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Research Department (gastric cancer/ GIST) in Carl D. Banker’s memory can be made to UNM Cancer Center, Development Office, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC 07- 4025, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001. Carl will be deeply missed by his family and friends.