Edward O’Neill Banker was born to Eleanor O’Neill and Julian Edward Banker on April 25, 1944, in Honolulu, Hawaii.  He died in Houston, Texas, on January 3, 2018, after a valiant and hard-fought battle with cancer.  He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Anne Newtown, his sister, Jo Anne Banker, of Houston, his stepson Matthew Newtown, and wife, Katie, and three grandchildren, Nellie, Sam, and Shepard Newtown, of Houston.  Ed’s extended family includes his niece, Brigette Benton, of Edmond, Oklahoma, his sister-in-law, Laura Boyd, of Arlington, Texas, her children and grandchildren, and his half- siblings, Neill and Frances, of Hawaii. 

Ed was passionate about many things.  He was passionate about his chosen profession—he earned his PE license from the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, and worked in that field until the day he died as a leading connection design engineer in the oil exploration industry.  He was honored to have his name on multiple patents, and he valued the respect his work garnered from his colleagues.  He was active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and participated in numerous standards committees and presented at various educational activities.

Ed was passionate about athletics.  He was an athlete his entire life, from Pee Wee football through high school football, track, and basketball in Jennings, Louisiana, where he grew up. He was awarded a football scholarship at LSU, where he excelled in both academics and athletics, and played in the Cotton Bowl and the Sugar Bowl.  Ed was a triathlete, but particularly loved riding his bicycle.  Whenever his grandkids and Anne passed a bicycle rider, the kids asked, “Is that Eddie?”  Ed and Anne and their friends spent many weekends in and around Houston and in the Texas Hill Country riding bikes.

Ed was passionate about nature and the outdoors. Ed and Anne and their friends hiked in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, as often as they could for many years, and reveled in the mysteries of the forest as well as the beauty of the vistas. 

Ed was passionate about learning.  He read the entire Books of Knowledge at his grandmother’s house when he was a very young boy. His insatiable curiosity kept him studying until the day he died.  He loved learning about other cultures from his world travels, and he entertained his family and friends with colorful stories of his adventures.

Ed was passionate about giving back.  He was always generous to those in need, and always shared what good fortune he had with others less fortunate.  He lived the power of his convictions.

Ed was passionate about life.  He loved all kinds of music—classical, country (especially Hank Williams and Willie), jazz, down-home blues, and good old rock and roll.  He loved good food, good wine, and good company.

Because of these passions, Ed enjoyed a full, fun, and productive life.  He was respected and dearly loved by family, friends, and colleagues.  Ed Banker was a true gentleman and a scholar.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Ed’s family gives special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the nurses and caregivers at Brazos Tower at Bayou Manor for their exceptional care and compassion.

A memorial celebration of Ed’s life will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at two o'clock in the afternoon at the Bradshaw Carter funeral home 1734 West Alabama Street, Houston, Texas 77098.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center or a charity of choice.  

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