SILVER SPRINGS, NEV. – Vern Banks passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 4, 2021. He was born in Little Rock, Ark. in 1941.
Vern’s passion was his horses and team roping. His favorite places to rope included the Sierraville Roping Club (Sierraville, Calif.) where he was a lifetime member. Also high on his list were ropings at Taylorsville and Quincy, Calif. as well as competing at Gardnerville, Nev. Roping Club events. He was a proud longtime member of ACTRA .
Vern loved the Reno Rodeo and the BFI (Bob Feist Invitational). He has saved every issue of the Ropers Sports News since its very first publication (1968). His wife Paula in fact, has a shed full of boxes to prove it.
Vern and Paula’s “Rusty Acres Arena” had many fun-filled family ropings and barbecues over the years. The road getting to the ranch was a little bit bumpy but many fun memories were made.
Vern was always training or fine-tuning his horses. He was more than happy to give guidance to any of his grandkids or any young ropers that were interested in the team roping.
He attended Fernley High School and worked in construction and was a member of the local 971 Union.
Vern is survived by his wife Paula and his five children: Lynn Nichols of North Carolina, Ronda Redding of South Carolina, Teri Baldwin of Nevada, Gary Rosebush of Nevada and Nicole Arnold of Washington. Also his sister Sue Chrissman of Nevada, nine grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many loved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister Darlene Pezzi, sister Faye Green and parents Ernest and Lucille Banks.
Vern will be missed by everyone and a celebration of life will be scheduled sometime in the spring.