Eugene "Gene" Banks

Eugene Banks, formerly of Leicester and Weaverville, passed away September 2, 2024, at the Valor Hospice of the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville. Gene was born September 25, 1933, in Burnsville, NC to Will and Julia Banks. In 1952 he joined the US Navy, serving during the Korean War. Stationed in San Diego, CA, Gene was a TM-3 torpedo man on the USS John R. Craig, a naval destroyer. His duty tours took him to Japan, China, Hawaii, and the Philippines. In 1953, Gene married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Angel. They crisscrossed the country from Burnsville to San Diego to visit during Gene’s duty. Gene was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, Alexander and earlier, First Baptist Church, Weaverville. From the late 1950s to the early 1970s he graduated from Blanton’s Business College and worked with Carter Feed Company and Bi Lo Supermarkets in Weaverville. In 1972 he became a sales executive with WWNC Radio in Asheville, beginning a distinguished career in advertising. By 1983, Gene was promoted to General Sales Manager, and that November produced the first ever million-dollar month in local sales. In 1984, Gene accomplished the first ever one hundred-thousand-dollar profit month of any Multimedia AM Radio station. And in 1985, he produced the first ever million-dollar annual profit of any Multimedia AM Radio station. In 1986, Gene won the Distinguished Salesman’s Award from Asheville Sales & Marketing Executives for his work at WWNC Radio. Later in his career, he held sales positions with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Asheville Citizen-Times and WISE Radio. He also worked as General Manager of WTOO Radio in Asheville. Gene served on the Board of Directors for the Western Carolina Rescue Mission and the American Christian Television System. Known for his kindness and Christian values, Gene was an easy-going, quiet man who loved trees, nature, gardening, children, and animals. Always putting others first, he worked hard, lending helping hands to family, neighbors, community, and his church. Surviving are his daughters, Kelli Knoupf of Fletcher, and Angel Banks of Arden; his grandchildren, Joshua Pressley (Elisabeth) of Virginia, Amanda Pressley of Fletcher, and Carmen Bradley (Tim) of Swannanoa; and great-grandchildren, Brennan Pressley of Fletcher, John Pressley, and Georgia Pressley of Virginia. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Macedonia Baptist Church, 1468 Jenkins Valley Road, Alexander, NC 28701. Cards may be sent to 409 Pocono Court, Arden, NC 28704. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gene may be sent to Hospice or Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.

Eugene "Gene" Banks

September 25, 1933 - September 2, 2024