| BANKEAD, M.D., ,
JACK HUGH On March 13, 2007, Jack Hugh Bankead, M.D., age 85, was
reunited in Heaven with his daughter, Ann Leigh Bankead, who
preceded him in death in 1991. Dr. Bankead was born December 18,
1921 in Kansas City, Missouri to Cecil Gibson Bankead and Jessie
Kemper Bankead.
He attended the Kansas City
Missouri School System and graduated in 1939 from Northeast High
School. During his last year in high school, he was signed to a
professional baseball contract by Bill Essick, the then chief scout
for the New York Yankee Baseball Organization. A year later he
caught the eye of Branch Rickey, who signed him to a contract to
play ball with the St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Club.
He remained with the Cardinals
until his enlistment in the United States Armed Forces and served in
the U.S. Army, 83rd Infantry Division, 330th Regiment from
1942 through the end of World War II. Dr. Bankead was a decorated
veteran having participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and was a
recipient of three Bronze Stars for heroism and received a Purple
Heart.
During his baseball career, he
suffered an injury which led him to develop an interest in medicine.
Prior to his military service, he attended Kansas City Junior
College, Marshall College, Texas A & M University, and Manhattan
College in New York City. His interest in medicine was sharpened
during his service on the battlefield as a medic during the war.
Upon his discharge from the
military, he continued his education, and he graduated from the
Creighton University Medical School in 1951. He spent his first five
years in practice as a country doctor in Nebraska. He later enrolled
in an Anesthesia residency at Washington University, St. Louis,
Missouri and practiced in that field until his retirement in 1986.
Dr. Bankead was a longtime member
of First Baptist Church Dallas and served as a Deacon and active
member in Ms. Criswells Bible Class. He is survived by his devoted
wife of 56 years, Mary Kathryn Bankead; son, Steven C. Bankhead and
wife, Kathy Bankhead; son, John R. Bankhead and wife, Sindy
Bankhead; six grandchildren, Matthew, Deborah Ann, Michael, John
Samuel, Will, and Sarah Ann Bankhead. The family will receive
friends 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Friday, March 16, 2007 at Charles
W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home in Sachse. Service will be held at 1:00
P.M., Saturday, March 17, 2007 at First Baptist Dallas, Heritage
Chapel, 1707 San Jacinto, Dallas, TX. Reverend Steve Collins
officiating. Charles W. Smith and Sons Funeral Home 5th Street @
Hwy. 78 Sachse Texas 75048
Jack Hugh
Bankhead passed away on March 13, 2007 at the age of 85.
He was a shortstop with the 1941 Union City Greyhounds,
batting .219 in 99 games with 33 stolen bases. Born in
Kansas City, MO December 18, 1921, he as initially signed by
scout Bill Essick of the New York Yankees during his senior
year at Northeast High School. In 1940, he signed with the
St. Louis Cardinals organization and played for their Class
D Kitty League club the following season.
Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 83rd
Infantry Division of the 330th Regiment during World War II.
He ended the conflict as a decorated veteran, having fought
at The Battle of the Bulge and receiving three Bronze Stars
for heroism and a Purple Heart.
A baseball-related injury as well as his service in the war
peaked his interest in medicine. He became a physician and
practiced anesthesiology until his retirement in 1986.
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