Sept. 24, 1929 ~ July 31, 2021
Daniel 'Babe' Banner, 91, of Littlefield went to be with his Lord on Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Littlefield. He was born September24, 1929 in O'Brien, Texas to C.B. and Willie Mae (Walsworth) Banner.
He graduated from O'Brien High School, where he was a multi sport athlete, in 1948. Babe rode his beloved Indian motorcycle to school and to work. He also won several hill-climbing competitions on the bike. He married Jean Oliver on December 21 , 1950 in Wichita Falls, Texas, and the couple lived in Albuquerque, NM before Babe was stationed in England. After he was honorably discharged from the Air Force, Babe and Jean moved to Amarillo, Texas where he attended Barber's College. After he completed school, they moved to Littlefield where he went to work for Dub Gilder at the City Barber Shop. Babe purchased the barber shop in 1966, where he worked for 63 years until his retirement in 2018. Over the years Babe built not only a customer base with those in Littlefield and the surrounding area, but he also built friendships. Several generations of families received their haircuts from Babe, many sitting in his chair for the first time as toddlers getting their first cut. Lots of conversation was had and many stories were told in that old barber shop downtown, especially during football season. Babe was an avid Littlefield Wildcat fan and he could quote statistics from past and present. He was also a servant of the community and was a member of the Littlefield Masonic Lodge #1161 , where he was a Past Master. Babe was a Methodist, and he grew up attending O'Brien Methodist Church where his grandfather was a pastor, and Babe was a member of Littlefield First United Methodist Church for many years. In his spare time he loved to fish, and made many fishing trips down south to Lake El Novillo in Sonora, Mexico and to Lake OH I vie near Ballinger. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend.
Babe is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jean Banner of Littlefield; two sons, Brad Banner, DVM of Merkel, Texas and Blain Banner and wife Leah, of Littlefield; three grandchildren, Barbara Banner, MD of Dallas, Garry Ozbirn and wife, Jenna of Littlefield and Melinda Galan and husband, Jonathan of Littlefield; five great grandchildren, Olivia Ozbirn, Nevaeh, Mackenzie, Aydin and Jonathan Galan Jr. all of Littlefield; a sister, Gloria Ann McAda of Daleville, Alabama; and other extended family members and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Benny Joe Banner; a sister, Rose Marie Johnston; and his daughter-in-law; Katluyn Banner, DVM.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Littlefield with Rev. Gary Boles officiating and Rev. Danny Sanders assisting. Graveside services with Masonic Rites will follow in Littlefield Memorial Park Cemetery. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be John Wagley, Lewis Boomer, Tom Brown, Craig Ratliff, Danny Sewell, Raymond Sewell, Frank Yohner and Wes Ballard. Arrangements are under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Littlefield First United Methodist Church.